UFC 277: Julianna Peña vs Amanda Nunes 2 Title Fight

For the second time this month, the UFC returns to pay-per-view. In fitting fashion, this Saturday’s recurrence is headlined by a pair of top-tier rematches, with titles on the line at UFC 277: Julianna Peña vs Amanda Nunes 2 in Dallas, Texas. Atop the marquee is the women’s bantamweight championship where Nunes looks to reclaim her belt from Peña. Supporting them in the co-main event is an interim title match for the flyweight belt where top challenger Brandon Moreno will face No.2 Kai Kara France for the second time in their careers. With familiar foes in both fights, Saturday night will be about who made the adjustments from the first time around.

Watch UFC 277: Julianna Peña vs Amanda Nunes 2

When: Saturday, July 30, 2022
Early Prelims Start Time: 6 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. PST
Prelims Start Time: 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST
Main Card Start Time: 10 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. PST
Location: American Airlines Center – Dallas, Texas
How to Watch: ESPN+ / EPSPN+ PPV

The rest of the main card is stacked as well, featuring four top-five talents outside of the two headlining contests. No.5 Derrick Lewis is a slight underdog against No.11 Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight bout that could have a major impact on the division. To kick off the paid portion of the evening, No.4 Magomed Ankalaev is a heavy favorite against No.5 Anthony Smith in the light heavyweight division where he looks to extend his eight-fight winning streak and push for a title shot.

Main Event Preview

The world was stunned last December at UFC 269 when Peña upset Nunes, halting the reign of “The Lioness” at 135 pounds. As many champions inside and outside of the Octagon learn, staying at the top is really tough, not just physically but mentally. UFC president Dana White alluded to the notion that Nunes may have gotten comfortable and lost her passion to fight.

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“Amanda’s a multi-millionaire who is now at a completely different financial status…,” he told ESPN last month. “She’s not that hungry savage she was when she started to take this run at becoming a world champion.”

The stats are in 📊

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— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2022

Whether it was the money taking away her “fight” or an injury that contributed to the loss, Nunes realized something needed to change. She started by changing gyms in January, leaving American Top Team. Then she rechecked her mental approach, sharing this week that the loss “reignted” her fire. Whether it is hype or reality, the energy has been felt all the way to the sportsbooks who have listed Nunes as a strong favorite.

Whatever happens on Saturday, Peña, however, has already won. She showed that Nunes is stoppable, and will look to do so again. With all of the eyes on the former champion, just as they were last winter, this fight has the potential feeling of an upset yet again. What that could mean for the legacy of both fighters could be huge, but that’s looking too far ahead. First, the gloves have to touch on Saturday night in Dallas.