Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Peña remains critical of Amanda Nunes’ decision to retire in mid-2023.
Nunes laid down her two titles and gloves in the Octagon following a successful 135-pound defense against irena Aldana. Their showdown at UFC 289 in Canada came about on short-notice following the withdrawal of Peña through injury.
Close by cageside on the night was “The Venezuelan Vixen,” who expected to set up a rearranged trilogy fight with the “Lioness.” Instead, the Brazilian announced a surprise retirement.
Peña’s boos and heckling during it made clear what she thought of the decision, and as talk of a comeback continues to float at the surface this year, the Spokane native remains frustrated by last year’s announcement…
Peña Slams ‘Drama Show’ From Nunes: ‘I Can’t Stand When People Retire & Then Come Back!’
During an interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Peña looked back on Nunes’ retirement, the continuation of which got thrown into doubt after she questioned Kayla Harrison’s decision not to call her out following a successful Octagon debut at UFC 300.
Having suggested her antics during Nunes’ retirement speech have now been vindicated, Peña has an even more critical view of her longtime rival’s decision in Vancouver, seeing it as nothing but an “attention seeking move.”
“I knew that she was prematurely retiring,” Peña said. “I can’t stand when people retire and then come back. It’s like, why retire in the first place? It’s just attention seeking. I think she should have just said, ‘I want a break and I’m gonna lay the belt down and let it be vacant. When I’m ready to fight for it again, I’ll fight for it again,’ instead of just building this drama show about how she’s ready to retire.
“I don’t think she’s ready to retire, I know that she wants to come back, and my objective is to get her to come back after I beat Raquel (Pennington),” Peña added.
Before looking to put her sights firmly back on the “Lioness,” Peña must make good on her promise to comfortably unseat Pennington in her very first defense. While unconfirmed, the pair are expected to collide at the Salt Lake City-held UFC 307 pay-per-view on October 5.
Should she achieve two-time champ status in 2024, perhaps Nunes will be tempted back to the cage. If not, a showdown with UFC newcomer Kayla Harrison would appear to be on the cards.
