UFC 277: Julianna Pena’s daughter squares up to Amanda Nunes

Julianna Pena is more than capable of holding her own, but she had some extra back up during her face-off with Amanda Nunes ahead of their UFC 277 clash.

Pena is aiming to upset the odds once again in Texas tonight, where she takes on the UFC’s greatest female athlete of all time in Nunes having defeated the former two-weight world champion back in December. 

There’s been plenty of animosity in the build up to their highly-anticipated rematch, and Pena had support on stage during her final face-off with the Brazilian in the form of her four-year old daughter, Isabella. 

Pena defends her UFC bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes in Texas on Saturday night

Stood just behind her mother during the intense staredown, Isabella was seen with her clenched fists up high and looked ready to step in if anything kicked off between the female fighters.

While Pena is not expected to repeat her unbelievable win from UFC 269, the reigning bantamweight champion insisted she will do whatever it takes to hold onto her belt. 

‘I am going to punch, kick, pull her hair – I’m going to bite her, I’m going to gouge her eyeballs out if I have to,’ said Pena. 

Pena’s daughter, Isabella, was ready to provide back up during the intense staredown

‘I’m literally going to do everything in there. Trust me when I say I am ready and willing to die. Whatever it takes, I’m going to do whatever it takes.’ 

‘And I will be there ready to be even better than her,’ countered Nunes. ‘She really is going to face a ‘Lioness’ she didn’t see last time, so I’m ready.’  

There was a slight scare for Pena on Friday as she was the last fighter to step on the scales inside the two-hour window for athletes. She hit the scales at 134.5 pounds, while Nunes was first up and hit the limit at 135 pounds.