- Peña wins bantamweight title in Nunes’ first loss since 2014
- Charles Oliveira beats Dustin Poirier to retain lightweight belt
Julianna Peña pulled off one of the biggest upsets in mixed martial arts history to score a second-round submission win over Amanda Nunes and win the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 269 on Saturday.
Peña looked to be in trouble in the first round of the Las Vegas co-main event against one of the most dominant champions the sport has ever seen. The 32-year-old American came storming back in round two, though, rocking the pre-fight favourite with combinations and pouring on flurries of punches.
Nunes, whose record includes wins over Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko and Cris Cyborg, looked in trouble before the fight went to the mat, and her five-year reign as champion came to an end at the 3:23 mark. Nunes tapped out of the second round as Peña sank in a rear naked choke, handing the Brazilian her first defeat since September 2014.
