Julianna Peña is out of her scheduled UFC 289 bantamweight championship trilogy bout against Amanda Nunes due to broken ribs, and No. 5 ranked Irene Aldana will be stepping in as a replacement.
Julianna Peña has been forced to withdraw from the UFC 289 bantamweight championship trilogy bout against Amanda Nunes due to broken ribs. The two fighters have a score to settle, having each won one of the previous matches in their rivalry. Peña caused a major upset by defeating Nunes by submission in UFC 269. However, in the rematch, Nunes dominated Peña, winning on points.
Stepping in as Peña’s replacement is the fifth-ranked Irene Aldana. She has won four of her last fight fights and was previously scheduled to rematch Raquel Pennington on May 20. This new opportunity to compete for a world title is sure to be a thrilling prospect for Aldana.
As Nunes prepares for her next challenge, she will be wary of underestimating Aldana. The Mexican fighter is known for her powerful striking abilities, and she will be determined to make a name for herself by upsetting the reigning champion. Given Nunes’s dominant performances in recent fights, the stakes will be high, and fans can expect an exciting battle in the Octagon.
Overall, while Peña’s injury is undoubtedly disappointing for fans, the show must go on. Irene Aldana will take on Amanda Nunes in what promises to be a high-stakes duel between two of the best female fighters in the world. It remains to be seen who will come out on top in this next chapter of the Nunes-Peña rivalry.