UFC 277: Pena vs. Nunes 2 Fight Card, TV Info, Predictions and More
Julianna Pena is looking to show her win over longtime UFC champion Amanda Nunes was no fluke. Meanwhile, the Lioness is trying to regain the belt she held for more than five years.
At UFC 277, something is going to give.
Pena stunned Nunes with a second-round submission in their first bout at UFC 269 in Las Vegas. She'll look to repeat the feat in Dallas at American Airlines Center.
The co-main features a different kind of rematch. Kai Kara France will look to avenge a loss from 2019 in his quest to claim the interim flyweight championship and a guaranteed shot at the champion, Deiveson Figueiredo.
Standing in his way is Brandon Moreno, who is looking at his own version of redemption. A win for him would get him a fourth fight with the champion. Their trilogy stands dead even, with both men claiming a victory after a draw in their first fight.
Here's a look at the complete card, schedule and predictions for the biggest fights.
UFC 277 Fight Card, Schedule and Odds
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Main Card (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)
- Julianna Pena (c) (+235, bet $100 to win $235) vs. Amanda Nunes (-280, bet $280 to win $100) – women's bantamweight championship
- Brandon Moreno (-215) vs. Kai Kara-France (+185) – interim flyweight championship
- Derrick Lewis (+130) vs. Sergei Pavlovich (-150)
- Alexandre Pantoja (-195) vs. Alex Perez (+165)
- Magomed Ankalaev (-580) vs. Anthony Smith (+440)
Prelims (ABC/ESPN/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
- Alex Morono (+135) vs. Matthew Semelsberger (-155)
- Rafael Alves (+145) vs. Drew Dober (-170)
- Hamdy Abdelwahab (+170) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (-200)
- Rafa Garcia (+170) vs. Drakkar Klose (-200)
Early Prelims (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)
- Adam Fugitt (+450) vs. Michael Morales (-600)
- Joselyne Edwards (-130) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (+110)
- Nicolae Negumereanu (-120) vs. Ihor Potieria (+100)
- Orion Cosce (-205) vs. Mike Diamond (+175)
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Pena Proves to Be Nunes' Kryptonite
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Sometimes, historic upsets have been followed by a lopsided rematch.
For example, Matt Serra was destroyed by Georges St-PIerre the second time around. However, there's also historic precedent for some all-time greats who have simply met their match or never reached the same level of dominance.
Anderson Silva lost on a freak leg injury but was never quite the same after losing to Weidman than first time. Holly Holm pretty much ended Ronda Rousey's MMA career.
So the question becomes which category the rematch between Nunes and Pena will fall into.
There's a case to be made that Nunes simply had an off night in the first fight. As a two-division champion with a win streak that extended to 2015, it's tough for a fighter to keep the same fire.
It's also true that Pena took 46 significant strikes from Nunes that night, per UFC Stats.
It took the Lioness fewer strikes to take out Megan Anderson, Holly Holm, Cyborg Justino, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate and Valentina Shevchenko.
In other words, The Venezuelan Vixen was able to withstand Nunes' power and just continued to wade forward.
That's not a fluke. That's a problem for a fighter in Nunes who has witnessed few able to stand up to her pressure. She may be the favorite, but that feels like a product of her name recognition and not how these two actually match up.
Prediction: Pena via third-round TKO
Moreno Still Better Than Kara France
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It's always fun when there's a rematch between two fighters after they've become well-known in their division.
When Kai Kara France and Brandon Moreno met for the first time, it wasn't even on the televised portion of the prelims of UFC 245. It was the third fight to be streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
Now, it's the co-main event of a pay-per-view.
It is also a chance for both to show their evolution as a fighter. Moreno has obviously grown leaps and bounds, capturing the flyweight championship before losing it to Deiveson Figueiredo.
But Kara France has evolved in his own right. The New Zealander has gone 4-1 since that loss, including a knockout win over former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt and a decision victory over Askar Askarov.
Considering that was Askarov's first loss, it's a pretty nice feather in his cap.
This is going to be a fun one, but Moreno's slick submission skills might be the difference. Kara France's lone defeat since dropping the decision to Moreno was a guillotine choke loss to Brandon Royval.
If Kara France can't keep the fight standing, there's a good chance Moreno will capitalize.
Prediction: Moreno via second-round submission
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Pavlovich Proves Himself against Lewis
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Many rising heavyweights have tried to bolster their resume with a win over Derrick Lewis. Many have failed.
Recently, Chris Daukaus and Curtis Blaydes have learned how difficult it can be to contain the Black Beast. Lewis finished both within the first two rounds. His knockout of the former was the 13th of his UFC career, giving him the all-time lead in the history of the organization.
So while Sergei Pavlovich has a big opportunity in front of him, it doesn't come without a challenge.
Lewis can vaporize an opponent with one punch. However, Pavlovich has shown some knockout ability in his own right. He lost his UFC debut in 2018 to Alistair Overeem but has since won three straight fights by knockout.
The dynamic between the two will be fascinating early. Pavlovich will need to proceed with caution as Lewis likes to throw massive strikes early to end the night quickly.
But if he's willing to navigate those waters, he should get comfortable and score a knockout of his own.
Prediction: Pavlovich via second-round TKO
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