Ahead of UFC 277, we take a look at the odds, and predictions for the main card
The latest chapter in the Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena rivalry will be scripted, possibly in conclusion, when the pair clash in the main event of UFC 277. UFC 277 is set to take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on July 30. Julianna Pena who beat Amanda Nunes by submission in one of the greatest upsets in UFC history has openly said that Nunes deserves a rematch and she will be up for the challenge. They will face off in a sequel of their epic battle at UFC 269 that made Pena the new bantamweight sweetheart. This rematch will give Pena an opportunity to lay down any doubts that the win was a fluke, and will give Amanda another opportunity to showcase why she is the most feared fighter in women’s MMA history.
Julianna Pena vs Amanda Nunes
The youngest of four siblings, Julianna was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. Julianna graduated in 2007 from Mt. Spokane High School. She then attended Spokane Community College. In order to lose weight and channel aggression in her early adulthood, she enrolled in a cardio kickboxing class and subsequently transitioned to mixed martial arts.
Peña was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate in August, 2013. Peña faced Jessica Rakoczy in the finals on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. She won the bout via TKO in the final seconds of the first round and became TUF 18 women’s bantamweight champion.
Her participation in the Ultimate Fighter series alongside Amanda Nunes would’ve been a great way of giving back to the platform that set her up to this stage.
Her opponent Amanda Nunes is arguably the greatest women’s MMA fighter of all time. She holds victories over some of the biggest, most dangerous names in women’s fighting, including the likes of Valentina Shevchenko, Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, and Holly Holm just to name a few.
Nunes landed her first title shot against then bantamweight champion Meisha Tate, at UFC 200 on July 9th, 2016. She dismantles Tate, and won the fight via rear naked choke. What followed later on was the single greatest run in women’s MMA history. Nunes moved up in weight to face Cris Cyborg for the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship on December 29, 2018, at UFC 232. Nunes knocked Cyborg out in 51 seconds of the first round to become the new UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion. This made her the first woman in UFC to hold championship belts in different divisions simultaneously.
Our Prediction– While Julianna Pena put on the single most valiant performances in their first match, an important factor for the loss was the demeanor of Amanda Nunes. The usually ferocious lioness looked like a shadow of her on self, and looked like she didn’t want to be in there. He punches lacked sting, and her cardio did not serve her any good either. Having said that, Pena must have improved drastically since that fight, and with Nunes’ change of camp, and the haunting memory of that loss, she has a mammoth task in her hand. We believe that Pena will edge past Nunes, with a decision or late submission, and put an end to this rivalry.
Odds – Julianna Pena (c) +240 [Underdog] vs. Amanda Nunes -300 [Favorite]
Brandon Moreno vs Kai Kara France
The card also features a rematch between top ranked flyweights, Brandon Moreno and Kai Kara-France from UFC 245. Former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has switched his training camp to Glory MMA Fitness, in pursuit of excellence and proper grip on multi-faceted martial arts discipline.
In their previous fight, Moreno beat Kara-France by unanimous decision. Moreno faced Deiveson Figueiredo for the UFC Flyweight Championship on December 12, 2020 at UFC 256. After a back and forth war, the bout was declared a majority draw. Moreno rematched Figueiredo for the UFC Flyweight Championship on June 12, 2021, co-headlining UFC 263. He beat his opponent in decisive fashion, and became the first Mexican flyweight champion.
His opponent Kai Kara-France has been on an impressive three fight run of his own. Following his victory against Cody Garbrandt, him and his teammates from City Kickboxing had promised to riot if he didn’t get the next title shot. After a fight later, he has landed the opportunity to fight for the interim belt against former champion Brandon Moreno.
Our Prediction– Moreno’s valuable experience in the three championship fights he had against Figueiredo will be the deciding factor in this fight. Although Kai has improved his skillset by leaps and beyond, Moreno poses a completely difference challenge than any other fighter he’s fought. We believed Moreno gets the victory either by submission, or decision.
Odds- Brandon Moreno -230 [Favorite] vs. Kai Kara-France +190 [Underdog]
Other Odds
Derrick Lewis -140 vs. Sergei Pavlovich +120, heavyweight
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Alex Perez, flyweight
Magomed Ankalaev -410 vs. Anthony Smith +320, light heavyweight
Alex Morono vs. Matthew Semelsberger, welterweight
Drew Dober -270 vs. Rafael Alves +220, lightweight
Don’Tale Mayes -190 vs. Justin Tafa +160, heavyweight
Carlos Diego Ferreira -155 vs. Drakkar Klose +130
Michael Morales -280 vs. Ramiz Brahimaj +230, welterweight
Mariya Agapova -190 vs. Ji Yeon Kim +160, women’s flyweight
Ignacio Bahamondes -230 vs. Ľudovít Klein +190, lightweight
Ihor Potieria -170 vs. Nicolae Negumereanu +145, light heavyweight
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