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Julianna Pena says she ought to be thought of the UFC’s first ‘mother champ’ after her victory over Amanda Nunes in a shocking bantamweight title upset in Las Vegas.
Pena submitted Nunes within the second spherical of their UFC 269 co-main occasion on the T-Cellular Area, pulling off a shock that many declare to be the most important within the historical past of MMA’s elite promotion.
The combat was a gathering between two moms.
Pena gave delivery to daughter Grace in 2018, and was joined within the Octagon by her daughter after her exceptional victory.
Crushed rival Nunes is mother to daughter Raegan Ann – who was born to accomplice and fellow UFC fighter Nina Nunes in September of final yr.
When requested whether or not she would really like the UFC to create a ‘Baddest Mother on the Planet’ belt, Pena backed the thought whereas proclaiming that she, somewhat than Nunes, was the worthy recipient.
“The UFC completely must create a brand new belt for me, and it must be the ‘Baddest Mother on the Planet’,” stated Pena at her post-fight press convention.
“I’m not making an attempt to remove something from Amanda. She’s an exquisite mom, however I gave delivery to my daughter, and I really feel like for giving delivery, I’m the primary mother champ.
“That to me can also be a bit of feather within the cap.”
Some on-line appeared to take exception to the quote, with MMA pundit Luke Thomas calling it “an unforced error.”
Standard MMA journalist Ariel Helwani additionally raised the purpose in a tweet of his personal – resulting in a blended response.
FTR, I’m not making an attempt to decrease anybody. Cmon. Simply noting, given my immense respect for what girls undergo throughout and post-pregnancy, that it is a first and really a lot value commending. That’s it. I do know there are lots of methods to be a mother and so they all deserve love + respect. 🙏
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 12, 2021
They’re each mothers, wtf does it matter That is simply insulting a GOAT
— Martin Lamoza (@MartinLamoza1) December 12, 2021
Pena’s physique truly went by means of being pregnant and labour, Nunes did not.
— Concobar (@Concobar2) December 12, 2021
Nah nah, we’re not gonna do that. There’s completely nothing flawed with what he stated. Cease it. Nobody ever stated Amanda ain’t a mom. She’s each little bit of a mom peña is, however giving delivery is extremely strenuous on the physique and her having the ability to return and do that – superb
— snus 👊🇨🇦 (@SNUSROCKETMMA) December 12, 2021
One factor past doubt is Pena’s new standing because the UFC’s girls’s bantamweight queen.
‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ weathered the stress from Nunes within the first spherical earlier than discovering success with some heavy photographs within the second.
That took the wind out of Nunes as she visibly fatigued earlier than Pena secured a takedown and locked in a rear-naked chokehold on the 3:26 mark.
The defeat was a primary for Nunes contained in the Octagon in seven years, after ‘the Lioness’ had beforehand rampaged by means of the bantamweight and featherweight ranks on the best way to changing into a two-weight champion.
She has now relinquished a type of two titles to Pena, who was winner of ‘The Final Fighter’ actuality TV present in 2013 however noticed her rise within the UFC stall on account of harm and her maternity break.
The Spokane-born star, who is predicated in Chicago, had earned back-to-back wins to arrange her shot at Nunes, though few had given her a lot of an opportunity in opposition to the all-conquering Brazilian.
UFC boss Dana White instructed that Nunes would have the choice of a direct rematch with Pena – and the American herself was open to the thought.
“We are able to do it subsequent, I’m free subsequent month, two months from now – every time they need to do it I’m prepared,” Pena, 32, stated jokingly.
She added that she would first want a while together with her daughter however vowed that “if [Nunes] desires to do a rematch, we will do a rematch.”
Nunes, 33, didn’t seem for her post-fight press duties however had been respectful in direction of her opponent within the Octagon after her defeat, signaling that a lot of the animosity that had characterised the build-up to the combat had been laid to relaxation.
READ MORE: Venezuelan Vixen: Meet the girl making ready for MMA’s most daunting problem
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