Julianna Peña withdrew from the UFC 289 main event against Amanda Nuñes due to an injury to her ribs, according to a statement shared on her Instagram account.
Julianna Peña, a renowned UFC bantamweight fighter, recently announced her withdrawal from the main event at UFC 289 where she was scheduled to fight Amanda Nuñes, a featherweight and bantamweight champion of the UFC. Peña posted a statement on her Instagram account addressing the situation a few days after withdrawing from the fight. She expressed her disappointment, claiming to be “absolutely gutted” by her injury and the forced withdrawal from the event.
Peña defeated Nuñes in their first bout, which took place in December 2021, but Nuñes recaptured the title after an immediate rematch in July 2022. The planned UFC 289 rematch between the two was supposed to be the decider in a “best 2-out-3” scenario. However, Peña’s withdrawal due to broken ribs resulted in her replacement with the No. 5 ranked Irene Aldana, who proceeded to headline the event with Nuñes.
Peña’s message revealed her dedication to the sport and described the hardships that fighters face on a daily basis. She expressed regret at being unable to compete at UFC 289 and promised to come back stronger. The fighter poured her heart and soul into training for the bout with Amanda Nuñes and was devastated when the doctors intervened. Peña apologized to the UFC and Amanda Nuñes and wished them the best in the bout that transpired.
In conclusion, Peña’s withdrawal from the fight against Amanda Nuñes at UFC 289 was a moment of sadness for the UFC community, but Peña’s Instagram post showed her resilience and fortitude. Through her statement, she conveyed her dedication to the sport and promised to come back stronger in the future.