Juliana Pena

Germaine de Randamie puts Juliana Pena to sleep at UFC Fight Island 4

by

One of the more anticipated matchups of UFC Fight Island 4 was the bantamweight contest between Germaine de Randamie (10-4) and Juliana Pena (9-4). De Randamie was looking to bounce back after her title loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 245.

The fight started out very well for the former UFC featherweight champion. De Randamie was doing a really good job in the first round of stifling Pena from distance. De Randamie seemed to hurt Pena a few times in the exchanges.

However, a very game Pena just ate every shot de Randamie threw her at her in the first round. In the second round, Pena was able to land a takedown early on. After that, Pena controlled most of the second round from the top position.

However, late in the round, a scramble found de Randamie on top. Surprisingly, de Randamie almost locked up a choke at the end of the round. It really showed off the evolution of the former UFC featherweight champion.

In the third and final round of the fight, Pena tried to put a lot of pressure on de Randamie. About halfway through the round, Pena landed a takedown, but landed right into a guillotine choke. De Randamie tightened the choke and put Pena to sleep. A massive win for the former UFC champ.

What’s next after UFC Fight Island 4

In my opinion, it’s very clear that de Randamie is the top contender in the bantamweight division. However, it’s going to be hard for de Randamie to get another title shot soon after just losing to Amanda Nunes in December.

Not only did she lose, but it was the second time that she has been defeated by the UFC champ. There are not a lot of viable challengers out there for Amanda Nunes. However, de Randamie is one despite the fact that she’s lost twice to her.

I think a reasonable next step for de Randamie would be fighting the winner of tonight’s main event. I think paring her against the winner of that fight would establish a clear next challenger for Amanda Nunes’ UFC bantamweight title.

UFC: Germaine de Randamie – Juliana Pena on tap October 3rd fight night

by

The UFC is close to finalizing a key women’s bantamweight matchup for their October 3rd fight night card. Per MMA Fighting, Germaine de Randamie (9-4) will take on Juliana Pena (9-3) in a matchup of top five bantamweights.

Next UFC title challenger?

The winner of this matchup could determine who will get the next shot at the UFC‘s bantamweight title. For de Randamie, she’s gone 6-2 in her UFC career with her two losses coming against the champion, Amanda Nunes.

The two ladies fought back in December for the bantamweight title with Nunes taking the unanimous decision victory. De Randamie did have some bright spots in the last fight.

It will be interesting to see what the UFC does if de Randamie goes on to win this fight. She’s already ranked at the top of the division, but she does have two losses to the current champion so it would be difficult booking a third matchup.

For Pena, the October 3rd fight will be her first fight of 2020 and just her second fight since the beginning of 2017. In her UFC career, she’s gone 5-1 with her lone loss coming to UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko.

Both of these women are elite and it’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out. De Randamie is arguably the most decorated striker in the division while Pena is very good on the ground. A clash of styles for the October 3rd Fight Night.