The UFC returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the final pay-per-view event of 2021. Women’s bantamweight contenders will throw down in the evening’s co-main event with the championship up for grabs, and we’re supplementing all your wagering needs.
Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Peña, including the updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC betting picks, predictions, and analysis.
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Co-Main Event Championship Bout
Saturday, December 11, 2021 – 09:04 PM EST at T-Mobile Arena
She spent three years building her UFC career to reach the pinnacle of prizefighting. When Amanda Nunes defeated Valentina Shevchenko, Miesha Tate, and Ronda Rousey in consecutive bouts, the Brazilian legend began building a legacy that’s grown to unthinkable heights.
The list of achievements under Nunes’ career is remarkable, including the honor of becoming the first woman in UFC history to win two championships and simultaneously defend those titles without defeat.
Becoming a multi-divisional champion whilst maintaining the second-longest active winning streak in the UFC (12) is the reason why Amanda Nunes will have her face sketched on the Mount Rushmore of combat sports.
A skillset that has evolved in all facets of the fight game has assisted the champ-champ in successfully defending the UFC bantamweight and featherweight titles a combined seven times. And aged 33-years-old, “who can dethrone the lioness?” is a question we could still be pondering on in years to come.
⦁ UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion (One time; current)
⦁ UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion (One time; current)
⦁ UFC Performance of the Night (Five times)
⦁ First woman in UFC history to win two titles and hold them simultaneously
⦁ First fighter in UFC history to defend titles in multiple divisions
⦁ Longest combined UFC title reign of all time
⦁ Most wins in UFC history amongst women (14) and most successful title fights (9)
⦁ Most stoppage wins in UFC Women’s Bantamweight division history (8)
Amanda Nunes Best Available Odds: -900 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Julianna Peña has been a household name within the UFC since the company’s initial introduction of women’s MMA back in 2013. Eight years later, she’s finally earned the right to challenge for championship gold.
Peña came up through the Ultimate Fighter reality show, and her keenness for grappling has assisted the majority of her ten professional MMA victories.
The downside to Peña has been injuries and her lack of octagon activity. With this lack of experience when compared to the likes of Nunes, who also debuted in 2013, it’s easy to see why the Venezuelan Vixen is being overlooked in her first career title opportunity on Saturday.
Julianna Peña Best Available Odds: +550 at BetOnline
As previously mentioned, Peña has found much success through her grappling offense. The skillset of Peña has a decent clinch game, and her wrestling is good but average. Her grinding style often leans towards a point fighting style, and holding Nunes in place is her only possible way to victory, in my opinion.
I mentioned that Peña’s path to victory is through controlling Nunes and point-scoring. Still, the size, strength, and defensive grappling of Nunes will completely nullify that possibility.
Nunes can win this fight however she pleases, but when looking at a complete mismatch, it’s the striking offense of Nunes that will utterly outclass the challenger.
The most dominant female fighter in UFC history is comfortable everywhere. Still, the long-range jab and overhand right combination of the champ could severely light up Peña and end her night early.
The available odds at Bookmakers Review heavily favor Nunes, which is expected.
Nunes will dictate where this fight takes place. For the smack talk that Peña has uttered during media interviews, don’t be surprised when Nunes purposely delivers Peña her first career loss via knockout or technical stoppage.
Germaine de Randamie and Valentina Shevchenko quickly submitted Peña. This avenue to victory is a potential for Nunes. However, I anticipate the hands of Nunes will teach Peña a lesson for talking too much… and still!
UFC Pick: Nunes to Win by KO/TKO (-155) [1.55u to win 1u] at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.