UFC 269: Nunes vs. Pena betting odds, preview, and pick
Amanda Nunes (top) in action at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro for UFC 224. (Shutterstock)
December 7th, 2021
Amanda Nunes is set to face off against Julianna Pena in the co-main event of UFC 269 on Saturday, Dec. 11. Let's dig into this eagerly anticipated bout, beginning with the latest betting odds.
Nunes faces an open book in Pena
There isn’t much more that can be said about Nunes, who should be considered as the UFC G.O.A.T. given her virtually uncontested reign. She’s at the point where the only challengers left are her leftover’s leftovers, most recently pummeling Megan Anderson in one round at UFC 259.
She has scored eight finishes since 2015, seven coming in the first round. Nunes hits hard, defends well, and is nightmarish on the ground. It will take a special fighter or a special set of circumstances for her run at the top to finally end.
Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena tale of the tape
| Amanda Nunes | vs. | Julianna Pena |
|---|
21-4 | Record | 10-4 |
33 | Age | 32 |
5'8" | Height | 5'6" |
69" | Reach | 69" |
5-0 | Last 5 Fights | 3-2 |
Pena has to have bad intentions
Facing Nunes is a daunting task, and Pena has to be forgiven if she hasn’t been pursuing the opportunity. She has some notable wins over Cat Zingano and Jessica Eye, but her uncompetitive loss to Valentina Shevchenko in 2017 still holds weight today.
She’s gone 2-1 since then, somehow earning her a title shot. Pena can dig down deep if she feels she can fight her way through a rough patch, but she’ll need to hope she can catch Nunes off guard early to score a dramatic upset win.
Nunes will continue her reign by stoppage
The most reliable line in all sports is a Nunes moneyline, and that isn’t changing here. Pena is overmatched and being trotted in because there is simply no one else left for Nunes to fight.
If there is any intrigue here, it’s if Pena will make it outside the first round. With how often and accurate Nunes is as a striker, it would be an upset in itself if Pena goes the distance here. Unless Nunes checks out mentally or is struck down by the hand of God through Pena, she isn’t losing here.
It’s hard to imagine Pena making it out of the first round, and with Nunes being such a prohibitive favorite, value will need to be found elsewhere. Be it by strikes or by submission, Nunes is winning this one early. The call here is Nunes wrapping up her business before the end of the first round.
UFC 269 pick: Nunes
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