Amanda Nunes will defend her title against Irene Aldana in the main event of UFC 289 this weekend after fierce rival Julianna Pena pulled out.
Nunes and Pena were set to clash for the third time but the ‘Venezuelan Vixen’ had to withdraw in early May due to broken ribs.
Mexico’s Aldana has stepped in for her first UFC title clash, coming off the back of two impressive knockout wins.
Elsewhere, Brazilian fighter Charles Oliveira is back in action for the first time since losing to Islam Makhachev at UFC 280.
He takes on Beneil Dariush, who has won his last eight fights.
UFC 289: Date and how to follow
UFC 289 will take place on Saturday, June 10, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada.
The prelims will begin at 11pm UK time before the main card gets underway from 3am.
The main event can then be expected at around 6am on Sunday morning in the UK.
UFC 289 will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 from 1am.
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UFC 289: Fight card
Subject to change
- MAIN EVENT: Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana – for UFC bantamweight title
- Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush
- Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt
- Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr
- Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Eryk Anders
Preliminary card
- Nassourdine Imavov vs. Chris Curtis
- Khalil Rountree Jr vs. TBA
- Miranda Maverick vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
- Aiemann Zahabi vs. Aori Qileng
Early preliminary card
- Kyle Nelson vs. Blake Bilder
- David Dvorak vs. Stephen Erceg
- Diana Belbita vs. Maria Oliveira
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UFC 289: What has been said?
Speaking ahead of her latest headline fight, Nunes has admitted that she almost retired following her defeat to Pena in 2021.
She said: “You know, I was very confused. Losing my belt was crazy, but at the same time, I always said something was wrong.
“I saw Din Thomas right in the arena, and I gave him a hug. I looked at him and said, ‘I think I’m done.’ We looked at each other and he said, ‘Are you sure?’”
Nunes continued: “I drove back home, was putting my thoughts together… I was sad for a couple moments in the camp, and when I put everything together, and me and Nina [Nunes] talked.
“I was like, ‘I can not leave my belt with Julianna. It can be someone else but her.’ She didn’t deserve that belt. She didn’t do anything to really deserve [and] hold that belt.”
The 34-year-old won the belt back from Pena last year and will now take on Aldana after the trilogy fight was cancelled.
She said: “I was ready for either. My job is to defend the belt. Get ready, step in the cage, and get my belt home with me.
“But at the end of the day, I like to fight a good opponent, a respectable opponent like Aldana. It’s gonna be awesome.”
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