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AMANDA NUNES VS IRENE ALDANA FACTS
When is UFC 289? Sunday 11th June, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 289? Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 289? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 289
What channel is UFC 289 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 289? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
AMANDA NUNES VS IRENE ALDANA LOWDOWN
The female GOAT Amanda Nunes (22-5) heads to Canada for the second time for her eighth title defence. This will be the sixth defence of her bantamweight title and the first since she won it back from Julianna Pena. Back in 2021, Pena pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history when she submitted ‘The Lioness’ however, Nunes checked her ego and fought more sensibly to walk away with a unanimous decision and her belt in July last year.
Pena was originally on this card for her rubber match, but she had to pull out after breaking her ribs in training. This has given Irene Aldana (14-6) the opportunity for her first title fight. Many fans are more excited for this match-up with Aldana’s last three wins coming via knockout. She put Ketlen Vieira (2019) away before losing a unanimous decision to Holly Holm (2020) but is back on the march after clapping Yana Santos (2021) and freezing Macy Chiasson (2022) with a remarkable upkick to the liver.
AMANDA NUNES VS IRENE ALDANA PREDICTION
This is a very intriguing match-up as Aldana is one of the few fighters that can hang with Nunes on the feet. Her boxing is crisp and although she does not quite possess the same power, she is one of the most dangerous strikers Nunes could fight right now and has the ability to knock her out.
Pre-Pena, Nunes would have the ego to stand and trade with Aldana before someone crumbled. However, that first fight was a much-needed reality check and we expect Nunes to be more respectful of the Mexican.
She will still have the confidence to knock her out, but if she gets tagged, she will call upon her grappling instead of swinging for the fences. The more she wrestles, the easier this will look and as long as she respects that left hook, she should have an answer for everything.
Prediction: Nunes via Decision
Value bet: Aldana to win