Amanda Nunes has a new opponent for her UFC 289 bantamweight title fight following Julianna Pena’s withdrawal due to injury. The UFC president Dana White has already found a replacement for Nunes’ upcoming octagon return.
Mexican bantamweight Irene Aldana will challenge Nunes for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship, as Pena was forced to withdraw from their scheduled June 10 pay-per-view main event due to broken ribs.
Dana, the UFC president, confirmed the revised fight on social media, revealing that Pena injured her ribs and cannot compete at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Nunes had successfully defended her bantamweight title five times in a row before her shocking defeat to Pena at UFC 269. However, she avenged her loss in UFC 277, securing a unanimous decision victory over ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’.
Meanwhile, Irene Aldana was initially set for a rematch against Raquel Pennington on May 20. Which could have decided the new No. 1 contender for the bantamweight title.
But, due to Pena’s injury, Aldana has been propelled into the title contention spot. The Mexican fighter has won four of her last five bouts, but hasn’t competed in the 135-pound division in her last two fights.
If Aldana defeats Nunes, she will join the list of Mexican fighters who currently hold UFC gold. Which includes Brandon Moreno (flyweight), Alexa Grasso (women’s flyweight), and Yair Rodriguez (interim featherweight).
Dana White announces UFC 289 card update
“(Nunes versus Aldana) has a chance to be an incredible fight,” White said. “She’s kind of been right there for the title for a while and with Julianna not being able to go, it made sense for Irene. And I love these kids who take a fight and step up like this because they believe in themselves.”
Breaking news………… pic.twitter.com/pNvr9Qo3I2
— danawhite (@danawhite) May 3, 2023
In the co-main event, Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush, two top-ranked lightweight contenders, will fight each other after the UFC rescheduled their initial fight from UFC 288 due to Oliveira’s injury.
