Responsible for sharpening the jiu-jitsu of Julianna Pena, Luiz Claudio, the 'Black' shows confidence in the student to maintain the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg.) in the athlete's rematch against Amanda nunes No. UFC 277. And exclusive interview with SUPER FIGHTS, the coach explained why he believes that the Venezuelan will repeat the historic feat of 2019 and will once again surpass the MMA legend this Saturday (30).
At the weekend, Nunes returns to the octagon about seven months after being submitted by Peña and losing the bantamweight title, which she had held since 2016. New champion of the group, Julianna seeks to prove that the achievement was nothing more than a coincidence .
New champion, new scenario
No UFC 269, Peña emerged as a big underdog in the betting houses, but managed to shock the world and stage one of the biggest upsets in the company's history. Now, wearing the belt, the Venezuelan faces the Brazilian in a different scenario, according to 'Preto'.
“We know how dangerous Amanda is in the first and second rounds. I don't think she's going to change anything. She will maintain what she did, because, to a certain extent, she worked. (…) Everyone has a game, that plan and, soon, they start to get hit on the head, and get lost. Everything went wrong. I saw that Amanda said that she had been injured in the camp (training period), and that now she was not injured. Julianna was hurt too, but we didn't say anything. (…) The way they train, it’s difficult to always be 100%”, said Luiz.
Cautions in the fight
After seeing the student silencing some of the critics in the UFC 269, 'Preto' has no doubt that the champion will continue with the belt after Saturday's rematch. In this way, the coach explains the athlete's precautions for the clash.
“It’s difficult to say a plan. If you only have one plan, you are lost. (…) One notable thing was that Julianna improved a lot in her stand-up fighting. (…) The main thing is not to make mistakes. (…) Everyone thought it was impossible, but Julianna managed to exchange with her, not just exchange, but she absorbed the blows well and managed to return them. When she was able to hug him, she took him to the floor. (…) Another plan is not to get tired. Every plan runs on gas. (…) I’m sure Amanda will come more prepared, in terms of cardio too,” she said.
Peña's evolution
For Claudio, his student's evolution to stardom in bantamweight through the UFC 269. The coach, therefore, narrates what he sees as an improvement in the technical and psychological part of the champion so that the reign can be maintained this Saturday.
“Julianna has improved a lot technically. Obviously, when you are going to fight the champion, whoever is fighting is not afraid of the person, but the fear of making a mistake. In this fight, Julianna grew a lot mentally. We train the same thing, hard. She did everything she has to do. (…) She knows she can win. The mental part of her will make her keep the title”, she concluded.
Athletes' history
This weekend, Peña heads towards his first title defense. At 32 years old, the Venezuelan has reached the mark of 16 appearances in her professional MMA career, totaling 11 triumphs and four setbacks.
Considered by many to be the best fighter of all time, Nunes will try to erase the defeat she suffered at the end of last season. Her rematch with Julianna will be the Bahian's 27th commitment in the sport. Today, the Brazilian has 21 wins and five losses.
