Amanda Nunes reclaimed her bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 277 as she rematched Julianna Peña, causing many to think that Nunes vs. Peña 3 could be next.
Peña stunned Nunes back at UFC 269 as she scored a second-round submission in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. In the lead-up to the rematch, Nunes wanted it known that she had an off night and she proved that at UFC 277. “The Lioness” easily won by unanimous decision in a fight in which she knocked Peña down multiple times.
The Prospect of Nunes vs. Peña 3
After the fight, given they are 1-1, some thought a trilogy should happen but former UFC fighter and current commentator Michael Bisping thinks that is unnecessary. He doesn’t think a third act will go any different than the second.
“I don’t think we’ll see anything different, a different performance,” Bisping said on his “Believe You Me” podcast.
“I think Nunes is the better fighter. I think that was clear. That was clear in the first round of the first fight, as well. She got tired, and that’s not Julianna Peña’s fault. That all belongs on the side of Nunes. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. COVID, whatever, it’s got nothing to do with Julianna. You cannot take away from her performance because her opponent got tired. But I think we clearly saw that she’s the better fighter, so we don’t need the rubber match.”
Hear what the 🐐 @Amanda_Leoa had to say after reclaiming her champ champ status at #UFC277 👑👑 pic.twitter.com/uAbPRAGyyw
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2022
Although Bisping thinks that on paper a trilogy could make sense given they are 1-1, he thinks the UFC likely won’t make it happen given how one-sided the rematch was.
“However, in terms of what’s fair, generally if they’re (tied) one apiece in title fights, you see a third fight,” he added. “So if they make the third fight, I’ll understand it. And if they don’t make a third fight, I will also understand it.”
If the UFC doesn’t make the trilogy fight between Nunes and Peña, it’s uncertain who the Brazilian will fight next.
