Amanda Nunes has shut down talks of a potential trilogy fight against Valentina Shevchenko as the Brazilian puts her bantamweight title on the line against Irene Aldana at UFC 289.
Nunes already holds two wins over Shevchenko although their last contest, which took place in September 2017, ended in a split decision victory for the former.
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Since then, Nunes has lost just once in a defeat via submission to Julianna Pena while Shevchenko was beaten in her most recent outing against Alexa Grasso in March this year.
Although Nunes has previously considered fighting Shevchenko for a third time in a champ v champ battle, Shevchenko’s loss to Grasso has all but extinguished hope of that happening.
“I don’t know [about a trilogy],” Nunes told reporters at the UFC 289 media day.
“I think I have a lot of noise at 135 right now, and I don’t think the UFC is going to stop and then go back with the Valentina thing. That don’t sell nothing.”
However, one trilogy that definitely has the reigning bantamweight champ’s interest is one against Pena.
Nunes dropped the first of their bouts but beat Pena via unanimous decision to get her belt back in July last year.
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And the Brazilian is adamant she would have no problems making it two wins over Pena, claiming she is “better” than her rival “everywhere.”
“I’ll fight her (Pena) again after this,” Nunes said.
“No problem at all. She makes me better. This is MMA. If she sticks with her style, I’m sorry, you’re going to be gone soon.
“I’m evolving all the time. I can strike with both stances. I can wrestle you. My wrestling is better than yours. My ground game is better than yours. If you attack anything, I can defend.
“I’m stronger. So I’m better than you everywhere. You’re gone.”
UFC 289 FULL CARD
MAIN CARD (from 12pm AEST)
(C) Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana for the bantamweight title
Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush, lightweight
Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt, welterweight
Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr, featherweight
Marc-André Barriault vs. Eryk Anders, middleweight
PRELIMS (from 10am AEST)
Nassourdine Imavov vs. Chris Curtis, middleweight
Miranda Maverick vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius, women’s flyweight
Aiemann Zahabi vs. Aori Qileng, bantamweight
Kyle Nelson vs. Blake Bilder, featherweight
EARLY PRELIMS (from 9am AEST)
David Dvořák def by Stephen Erceg via UD (29-28 x 2, 30-27)
Diana Belbiţă def Marina Oliveira via UD (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
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