Jéssica Bate-Estaca questions Julianna Peña's quality and says she can beat her in the UFC

J. Bate-Estaca (photo) defeats C. Calvillo in UFC 266. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

In December 2021, Julianna Pena shocked the MMA world by dethroning the legacy of Amanda nunes in bantamweight (up to 61,2kg.) with a finish in UFC 269. However, in an interview with 'MMA fighting’, Jessica Stacker considers that the North American 'got lucky' and says that she can beat her in a possible fight for the category title in the future.

See too

Glover Teixeira analyzes the fight against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 275 and opens up about possible retirement

Deiveson Figueiredo surprises and criticizes the work of businessman Wallid Ismail; check the statement

Veteran points out biggest threat to Charles do Bronx's dominance in the UFC lightweight division

“I think it's easier to fight Julianna (Peña) than with the fly or straw athletes. I hope that one day we will have the opportunity to fight for the belt. I think it's the easiest confrontation, without a doubt. I'm used to facing fast girls, who have strength in their blows. The roosters are slower, so if you tire them, it's over. I don't get tired and I don't even slow down. It’s a good key to beating Julianna and winning the bantamweight belt,” said Bate-Estaca.

Jéssica has even competed for the straw belt (up to 52,1kg) and flies (up to 56,7kg). She would be the first fighter to compete for the title in three different categories, if she managed to get a fight against Julianna. Still, Bate-Estaca is confident in his compatriot’s victory Amanda nunes, in a rematch scheduled to take place at UFC 277.

“I think it was more (a situation) for Amanda to lose than a victory for Peña. Amanda is better than she showed. It was finished without hooks or any pressure. I don't know how Amanda's weight cut went – ​​it's been two years since her last fight (at bantamweight), so something could have affected it and led to this. She got tired very quickly. It wasn't the Amanda we're used to seeing. Maybe she will show the Amanda we met in this rematch and get the belt back,” she concluded.

Julianna Pena had an irregular start in the Ultimate octagon, but shocked the world by submitting the Brazilian Amanda nunes, who had been unbeatable since 2014, and win the bantamweight belt in December. The current champion has a record of 11 wins and four losses in professional MMA.