Five reasons to watch UFC 277, with Amanda Nunes looking to regain her bantamweight reign

J. Peña (left) and A. Nunes (right) face each other tensely before the UFC 277. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The big moment has arrived. This Saturday, in Dallas (USA), the long-awaited UFC 277, an event with 13 fights scheduled and which will give fans two title fights. MMA legend, Amanda nunes is the star of the show, and, in rematch with Julianna Pena, tries to regain the lost belt at the end of 2021. In the penultimate clash of the event, spectators will also meet the new interim flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg.).

Legend of mixed martial arts, Amanda nunes returns to the octagon to prove that defeat for Julianna Pena No. UFC 269 it was nothing more than a work of chance. Motivated, the 'Leoa' tries to recover the historic setback at the end of last season.

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In the co-main fight, a decisive duel for the flyweight. Brandon Moreno e Kai Kara France they compete for the interim division title. The winner will earn the right to challenge the linear champion Deiveson Figueiredo.

Besides Amanda nunes, Brazil will have two more representatives at the event. In the second half of the show, Alexandre pantoja face Alex Perez. On the preliminary card, Rafael Alves will be the opponent of Drew dober.

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To get in the mood, the team at SUPER FIGHTS selected five reasons to follow the UFC 277. Check out:

1) Julianna Peña x Amanda Nunes II

A. Nunes was dethroned by J. Peña in the UFC 269. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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O UFC 269, held in December 2021, represented a true rollercoaster for Brazilian MMA fans. On one side, the crowd cheered with the victory of Charles of the Bronx about Dustin poirier. On the other hand, the Tupiniquins were shocked by the unexpected defeat of Amanda nunes before Julianna Pena.

Considered by many to be the best fighter of all time, Nunes is back in action, in a new moment, to try to regain the absolute top spot in the bantamweight division. This time, the Bahian hopes to free herself from past mistakes and prove that she is still capable of wearing the belt in the 61,2kg category.

Responsible for one of the biggest 'zebras' in the history of Ultimate, Peña will also step into the octagon motivated. The Venezuelan, who ended one of the longest reigns in the history of women's MMA, wants to repeat the feat and prove to critics that she, in fact, deserves the category crown.

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2) Is Amanda Nunes still the greatest?

A. Nunes owned two UFC belts. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Victim of Peña last season, Amanda is experiencing a new phase in her career. After the defeat in UFC 269, the Brazilian left the renowned American Top Team academy and chose to undergo the training period in her own space.

Even without a title, Nunes remains the featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg), but, from what she declared during the week of the UFC 277, is focused on regaining two belts in the organization.

In her journey through Ultimate, Amanda won and convinced big names in the sport. The defeat to Peña who, in theory, was inferior to names like Valentina Shevchenko e Chris Cyborg – historical victims of pojucana – may have raised a question mark over the real conditions, or even ambitions of the Brazilian within MMA.

Theories aside, the time has come for fans to find out if Nunes has, in fact, resumed the pleasure of performing at bantamweight. Before the UFC 269, the Bahian woman has not had a negative result since 2014, when she was surpassed by Zingano cat.

3) Moreno x France: rematch for interim belt

B. Moreno (left) and K. Kara-France (right) facing the UFC 277. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

O UFC 277 It will also be a decisive fight at flyweight. Opponents in 2019, Brandon Moreno e Kai Kara France they once again divide the octagon, this time, by a belt.

Group champion between 2021 and 2022, Moreno once again has his sights set on a category title. This weekend, the Mexican faces off against an old acquaintance. Brandon and France shared the Octagon and, in the first meeting, the former belt holder got the upper hand.

At a great stage in his career, Kai wants to prove that he has become a different athlete over the last few seasons. For the challenge with the former executioner, the athlete arrives motivated by three consecutive victories, the last one over cody garbrandt, in a real overthrow over the North American.

Highlights of the weekend's spectacle, Moreno and France have a lot at stake in the event. The winner will earn the right to challenge the linear champion, Deiveson Figueiredo, who is recovering from a hand injury.

4) Keep an eye out, Brazilian fans

M. Ankalaev (left) facing A. Smith (right) before the UFC 277. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC

Brazilian fans need to keep an eye on the clash that opens the main card of the UFC 277. Second Anthony Smith, one of those involved in the combat, his fight against Magomed Ankalayev could define the next challenger for the light heavyweight belt, in case of a convincing presentation of the winner.

Combat directly affects the plans of Glover Teixeira, who lost the category belt in the defeat to Jiri Prochazka No. UFC 275. The Minas Gerais native is looking for an immediate rematch against the Czech, but his dream could come up against a possible show by the North American or the Russian this Saturday.

Current number four in the light heavyweight rankings, Ankalaev is going through a great phase within Ultimate. Known for his pragmatic style, the fighter is trying to reach the mark of nine positive results in a row.

Fifth place in the group, Anthony Smith is eyeing a new opportunity to fight for the division title. The veteran competed for the throne in 2019, but ended up being defeated by Jon Jones, at the opportunity.

5) Brazilians on the card

A. Pantoja (left) and R. Alves (right) are Brazilian highlights in the UFC 277. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

Besides Amanda nunes, Brazil has two representatives at the event. On the main card, Alexandre pantoja returns to the octagon after months recovering from an injury. Candidate for a future fight for the flyweight belt, the American Top Team athlete squares off with Alex Perez, former title challenger.

On the preliminary card, Rafael Alves will take the yellow-green to the fight field. A lightweight athlete (up to 70,3kg), the man from Pará is trying for his second consecutive triumph in the company. This Saturday, Tupiniquim faces Drew dober.