Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) hung up her gloves after retaining her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. In attendance was Peña, who was Nunes’ original opponent before withdrawing due to a rib injury.
While Nunes was making her farewell speech, Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) was screaming at her and hurling boos from across the stands. Peña even said she wanted to storm the octagon, until her coach advised otherwise.
“The only thing I didn’t like was how much Julianna was talking crap,” Barber told MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday at UFC on ABC 5 media day. “That was the only thing that was like, that’s just cringey. But, that was probably the only thing that I thought about the retirement that I didn’t like, and I wish Amanda all the success in the world.”
Peña’s frustration stems from expecting to complete her trilogy with Nunes next. “The Venezuelan Vixen” scored a shocking submission upset of Nunes to claim the 135-pound title at UFC 269, but Nunes regained her belt with a dominant decision in their immediate rematch at UFC 277.
Barber thinks Peña should just be grateful that their series ended 1-1, implying that the rubber match wouldn’t have gone well for her.
“I think that was very stupid,” Barber said. “You never know what’s going on in someone’s life. And if she wanted to call it done, she called it done. Who’s to say you can’t retire? If Amanda hadn’t retired and she fought Julianna, I think that Julianna got out very easy on that, having the shot at keeping the belt.”
Barber returns to action Saturday at UFC on ABC 5 to face Amanda Ribas in the co-main event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The bout airs live on ABC following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 5.
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