UFC Hall of Famer and analyst Rashad Evans expects a third title change in the women’s bantamweight division over the past three fights at UFC 289.
With Irene Aldana set to challenge Amanda Nunes for 135-pound gold in the main event of the June 10 pay-per-view at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Evans is predicting another title change, with the underdog challenger taking out the champion.
“I’ve got to go with Aldana,” Evans said during a recent UFC post-fight show on ESPN+. “Mexico’s on the surge, but Aldana, she’s such a massive force. She seems so big in there and that left hook, oh my God. Absolutely she catches her (on the feet).”
Nunes (22-5 MMA, 15-2 UFC) will attempt to make the first defense of her second women’s bantamweight title reign against Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) at UFC 289. After losing the belt to Julianna Peña in a shocking upset at UFC 269 in December 2021, Nunes reclaimed gold in one-sided fashion at UFC 277 in July.
She’ll try to reassert her dominance over the division against Aldana, who has won four of hr past five fights and is riding the momentum of Mexican UFC title success, with teammate Alexa Grasso and countrymen Brandon Moreno and Yair Rodriguez holding pieces of belts.
“The energy there is just on another level so you kind of start to level up to everyone around you,” Evans said. “And I feel like that’s where Aldana is.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.
Analyst: ‘Massive force’ Irene Aldana will upset champ Amanda Nunes at UFC 289