Amanda Nunes says Julianna Peña loss reignited passion for fighting: ‘I was without a challenge for so long’
DALLAS – Amanda Nunes finds herself in a position she hasn’t been for quite some time.
Arguably the greatest female fighter in the history of MMA, Nunes returns to the octgon this Saturday in the main event of UFC 277, but this time as a challenger and not a defending champion. Nunes (21-5 MMA, 14-2 UFC) will attempt to recapture her women’s bantamweight title after losing it to Julianna Peña in a shocking upset last December at UFC 269.
Ahead of the rematch, the Brazilian is amped up, which is something she lost in her unbeaten, dominant six-year run that led to becoming a two-division champion in the UFC.
“It’s very exciting for me,” Nunes told reporters at UFC 277 media day on Wednesday. “I’ve been here before, so it’s not a surprise or anything like that. You make mistakes, and you pay, and I did. I lost my belt, but after that, I went back home, fixed what I had to fix. If I had to make some adjustments in movement, I did whatever I need to do.
“I’m going to get that thing back. Losing the belt was never something that put me down or sad. It just kept me motivated and fired me up. I always needed that. I needed that kind of push. What Julianna brought was the challenge I needed. I was without a challenge for so long. Now, finally, I get in the position that I like to feel. I like to feel trapped. These are the moments I love the most.”
Related
Video: UFC 277 'Countdown' for Julianna Peña vs. Amanda Nunes
UFC free fight: Julianna Peña shocks the world, taps Amanda Nunes to become bantamweight champion
Nunes was on a tear before her defeat to Peña. She had 12 straight wins, with eight coming by stoppage. Many of those victories came over notable opposition such as Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), and Miesha Tate.
The “Lioness” is hungrier than ever to get back what was hers and promises to defeat Peña in the rematch.
“When the lioness is going to attack the prey, they don’t always take it the first time,” Nunes said. “But the second time, for sure. It’s going to be more precise. Now I’m here, and I’m going to get my belt back on Saturday.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 277.
