Amanda Nunes vs Julianna Pena on the 7th of August called off

Amanda Nunes vs Julianna Pena on the 7th of August called off

Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena

Amanda Nunes vs Julianna Pena has been called off after Nunes withdrew from the event. The bantamweight title fight was scheduled to take place on the 7th of August at UFC 265. Their bout was scheduled to co-headline the stacked card headlineby an interim heavyweight title fight between Ciryl Gane and Derrick Lewis.

The news was first reported by Mike Coppinger of ESPN who had learned the same from UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell. Ariel Helwani of BT Sport reported the same as well. The reason for Amanda Nunes‘ withdrawal is the two-division women’s champion testing positive for COVID-19. The bout is expected to be rescheduled once Nunes is fit, healthy and ready to go.

“Campbell said the plan is to reschedule the bout when Amanda Nunes is fully healthy and ready to compete”

Helwani’s tweet read, “Amanda Nunes x Julianna Peña on Aug. 7 is off, per sources. Nunes forced to withdraw. They are hoping to reschedule the bantamweight title bout later this year.“

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Now the card is left with only one title fight – an interim heavyweight title fight between Ciryl Gane and Derrick Lewis. Gane is undefeated in his UFC as well as MMA career, while Lewis has been on a late upward surge in recent times. Helwani once again tweeted, “UFC 265 now moves forward with one title fight: Derrick Lewis x Cyril Gane for the interim heavyweight title.“

ESPN MMA who were first to receive the news of the cancellation, tweeted, “Amanda Nunes tested positive for COVID, canceling her fight against Julianna Peña that was scheduled for #UFC265, UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell told @MikeCoppinger. Campbell said the plan is to reschedule the bout when Nunes is fully healthy and ready to compete.“

The fight was in fact confirmed way before the headliner Lewis vs Gane was confirmed. Nunes is coming off a win over Megan Anderson at UFC 259. She has demolished each and every opponent that has come her way.

Julianna Pena, on the other hand, is coming off a victory over Sara McMann at UFC 257. She beat the American via submission due to a rear-naked choke in Round 3 of their contest. Pena is currently ranked number 5 in the women’s bantamweight rankings.

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