We collect cookies to analyze our website traffic and performance; we never collect any personal data.Cookies Policy
Accept
Michigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
Reading: Oliveira Will Face Poirier and Nunes Will Fight Peña in U.F.C. Bouts
Share
Font ResizerAa
Michigan PostMichigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved.
Michigan Post > Blog > Sports > Oliveira Will Face Poirier and Nunes Will Fight Peña in U.F.C. Bouts
Sports

Oliveira Will Face Poirier and Nunes Will Fight Peña in U.F.C. Bouts

By Editorial Board Published December 11, 2021 6 Min Read
Share
Oliveira Will Face Poirier and Nunes Will Fight Peña in U.F.C. Bouts
10ufc preview01 facebookJumbo

Two blue-collar men with mutual respect.

The greatest female mixed martial artist of all time looking to add a win against a chattering rival.

A promoter happy with those differences.

Those draws on Saturday, when the Ultimate Fighting Championship will hold its last pay-per-view card of the year, don’t generate the instant mainstream recognition of Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya or Jon Jones. But the matchups offer a diverse showing of fighters whom the company has leaned on for several years, a circumstance that was evident on Thursday as the fighters stared each other down after a news conference.

The U.F.C.’s president, Dana White, said he appreciated the fighters’ different approaches. The lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira (31-8-0), and the No. 1 contender, Dustin Poirier (28-6 -0), who will headline U.F.C. 269, looked each other in the eyes intently, but briefly talked.

Amanda Nunes (21-4-0), who will defend her bantamweight belt, wore a Gucci bucket hat while she bickered with her challenger, Julianna Peña (11-4-0). White said each card had a unique dynamic regardless of the common spotlight.

“Fans respect these types of fights,” White said in a telephone interview.

These fights conclude a year that heavily featured Poirier, who will be competing for the lightweight title for the second time in his career. In July, he fought McGregor, the brash Irish star, in the U.F.C.’s most heavily marketed event of 2021. He defeated McGregor by technical knockout in the first round of what was their third fight since 2014. McGregor landed awkwardly after a blow and fractured his left tibia, a surprise conclusion to a week of hostility as McGregor repeatedly insulted Poirier and Poirier’s wife, Jolie.

Beyond money and elevated stardom, the fight was risky. Poirier, who entered the U.F.C. in 2011, had won six of his last seven fights — the loss coming against the former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019 — and could have argued instead for a title shot with Oliveira. He jeopardized an essentially guaranteed championship fight and risked having to climb up the ranks again if he lost. But he bet on himself and is now in position to potentially end the year with gold and leather.

“These lessons I’ve learned, I’m very grateful for,” Poirier told reporters. “Being the world champion is forever — 25 minutes until eternity. That’s what’s going through my head every night when I go to sleep.”

Oliveira became the champion in May when he defeated Michael Chandler by technical knockout in the second round. Nurmagomedov (29-0-0) retired in 2020 with an unblemished record and when he competed, he essentially held the division hostage. This will be Oliveira’s first title defense, and an interesting matchup for him as a jiu-jitsu specialist against a well-rounded fighter like Poirier. The parity at the top of the lightweight division for the first time since 2018 excites White.

“You never know who is going to win, and there’s going to be some exciting fights,” White said. “Khabib was incredible and dominating everybody, and now you don’t know who could possibly be the champion.”

Nunes, similar to Nurmagomedov, has cemented herself as one of the best athletes in the sport. She entered the U.F.C. in 2013 and has lost just once in the company. Women’s mixed martial arts grew through fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Miesha Tate and Cris Justino, known as Cyborg.

Nunes defeated Tate to become bantamweight champion in 2016 and easily dispatched the rest afterward, showing versatility in all of her fights with strong punches, head kicks and submissions. Her knockout of Justino in 2018 for the featherweight belt made her the first woman in U.F.C. history to be a simultaneous champion in two weight classes.

Nunes, who is a lesbian, and her partner became parents last year, and Nunes has been open about motherhood and her sexuality. In a bloody, male-dominated sport like mixed martial arts, White said her identities are important for representation.

“She touches so many different types of people and that’s awesome for reaching them and converting them to fans,” White said. “But above all that and everything she is, she’s an awesome human being and I love working with her.”

Nunes contracted the coronavirus in July, canceling an earlier scheduled fight with Peña in August. The delay frustrated Peña, and she has mentioned it frequently during media tours. Peña has for years said she felt Nunes was avoiding her. Now, the matchup is set.

“No matter what she does Saturday, I will finish her,” Nunes said. “This belt isn’t going anywhere.”

TAGGED:Mixed Martial ArtsNunes, Amanda (1988- )Oliveira, Charles (1989- )Pena, Julianna (1989- )Poirier, DustinThe Washington MailUltimate Fighting Championship
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print

HOT NEWS

Lamine Yamal: Incapacity rights group threatens authorized motion after individuals with dwarfism reportedly employed for star’s celebration

Lamine Yamal: Incapacity rights group threatens authorized motion after individuals with dwarfism reportedly employed for star’s celebration

World
July 15, 2025
Amid resurgent 12 months and batting title push, Will Smith unbothered being ‘overlooked’

Amid resurgent 12 months and batting title push, Will Smith unbothered being ‘overlooked’

ATLANTA — The hierarchy of stars was apparent even within the desk preparations.At an All-Star Sport media…

July 15, 2025
New MSTR ETF gives weekly payouts — till BTC market turns

New MSTR ETF gives weekly payouts — till BTC market turns

Catering to the brief consideration span of retail buyers in Michael Saylor’s bitcoin (BTC) treasury…

July 15, 2025
AG Nessel urges Congress to 'curb unscrupulous' ICE techniques

AG Nessel urges Congress to 'curb unscrupulous' ICE techniques

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan Lawyer Basic Dana Nessel is co-leading a coalition of attorneys…

July 15, 2025
Registrar Computershare amongst suitors for former fintech star PrimaryBid

Registrar Computershare amongst suitors for former fintech star PrimaryBid

The Australian-listed share registrar Computershare is amongst a pack of suitors circling PrimaryBid, one of…

July 15, 2025

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Commentary: 2026 FIFA World Cup gown rehearsal exposes the massive downside of utmost warmth

Six weeks in the past in Munich, Paris Saint-Germain overwhelmed considered one of Europe’s prime groups within the UEFA Champions…

Sports
July 15, 2025

Commentary: Stay from Atlanta: The subsequent entrance within the battle between MLB homeowners and gamers

ATLANTA — In 2021, Instances columnist Invoice Plaschke incurred the wrath of Atlanta by blaspheming the leisure district surrounding the Braves’ ballpark…

Sports
July 15, 2025

Bronny James generates pleasure, however Clippers prevail over Lakers in Summer season League

LAS VEGAS — Even with all of the sports activities dignitaries in attendance and regardless that they had been watching a rivalry…

Sports
July 15, 2025

Commentary: MLB can’t afford to overlook out on Shohei Ohtani vs. Aaron Decide in Residence Run Derby

ATLANTA — Main League Baseball will current its annual Residence Run Derby on Monday night time, and Shohei Ohtani isn’t on the…

Sports
July 15, 2025

Welcome to Michigan Post, an esteemed publication of the Enspirers News Group. As a beacon of excellence in journalism, Michigan Post is committed to delivering unfiltered and comprehensive news coverage on World News, Politics, Business, Tech, and beyond.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?