UFC 289 Fight Preview: Nunes Rematch with Peña on Hold

On the eve of UFC 289, anticipation and excitement are at an all-time high as the legendary Amanda Nunes steps back into the Octagon for what is undoubtedly the most significant fight of her illustrious career. Nunes, widely regarded as the best women’s fighter of all time was set to face off against the only woman who has managed to defeat her, Juliana Peña. Yet because of an injury, Peña has pulled out of the fight and has now been replaced by Irene Aldana.

After losing initially to Peña at UFC 269 Nunes annihilated Peña winning on all judges’ cards 50-45, 50-44, 50-43 at UFC 277. In reality, the second fight turned out to be a mismatch and went the way that everyone thought the first fight would go. Peña had no answers for Nunes who smothered her with her power punches and wrestling from start to finish. Nunes was hoping to put together a similar performance, proving that the first fight was more like a fluke that occurred because Nunes lost focus or was “bored” with her competition.

Irene Aldana who is replacing Peña is no push over and it would be a mistake for Nunes to look past her. Aldana has won four out of her last five fights in the UFC and has had consecutive TKO victories. Many felt that it was Aldana, who deserved a shot at Nunes instead of Peña before the UFC eventually decided on the rubber match. But with Peña pulling out, Aldana will get her shot at Nunes and will have the chance to become a champion. If that occurs, Aldana will become the fourth Mexican champion this year joining interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez, flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, and women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso.

In the co-main event, fans will witness two lightweight stalwarts, Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. Oliveira has not fought since he lost his lightweight belt to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280. He will face Beniel Dariush, the number four ranked lightweight in the world. Dariush is coming in with an eight-fight win streak and has felt in the past he is deserving of a title shot. With a win against Oliveira, Dariush who has been seeking a title opportunity was assured he would be the number one contender. “The UFC game me their word. If I beat Oliveira, I am the number one contender”.

As the UFC heads to Rogers Arena on June 10th, there will be a lot at stake for all fighters involved. Nunes will try to show that she is not slipping, that her one loss to Peña that she avenged at UFC 277 was just a blip in her career. For Aldana, defeating Nunes would be seismic as it would fulfill her dream of becoming UFC champion and defeating the best ever to do so. Meanwhile for the lightweight division, the winner of Oliveira versus Dariush will face champion Islam Makhachev. Oliveira is itching to get that rematch with Makhachev while Beniel Dariush is looking to finally get the opportunity that he feels has been withheld from him for years: to fight for the championship belt.

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