(via Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Amanda Nunes Receives Replacement Opponent for UFC 289 Title Fight
UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes was set to put her 135-pound gold on the line against Julianna Pena at UFC 289 in a trilogy fight, but plans have changed.
UFC President Dana White posted a video on social media revealing that Pena has been sidelined due to an injury and won’t be able to compete on June 10. Taking her place will be number-five-ranked UFC women's bantamweight Irene Aldana.
"So, Julianna Pena was taking on Amanda Nunes June 10 in Vancouver," White said. "Unfortunately, she broke her ribs, she cannot compete. We have Irene Aldana, who's coming in, who won four of her last five, and three of those were finishes. We could have another Mexican world champion."
Aldana has bounced back after her unanimous decision loss to Holly Holm back in October 2020. Since that defeat, Aldana has beaten Yana Santos via first-round TKO, and Macy Chiasson via third-round knockout.
Fight fans will certainly be taking note of how Aldana looks when it comes time for weigh-ins. She has missed weight twice in her career as a bantamweight. She failed to make weight back in 2016 for an Invicta FC fight against Jessamyn Duke. She also missed weight for her bout with Santos. Aldana's last fight with Chiasson was also a catchweight bout, although this wasn't due to a weight miss on her part. With that said, Aldana hasn't officially had a bantamweight bout since her loss to Holm.
UFC 289 will be held inside Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The co-main event will feature a pivotal lightweight clash between former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush.
Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA.