UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2 Results

Don't Miss A Championship Rematch And The Interim Flyweight Title Fight At UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes, Live From The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, July 30, 2022

Results As They Happen, Winner Interviews And More From UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2, Live From The American Airlines Center In Dallas, Texas

By Thomas Gerbasi, on Twitter @TGerbasi • Jul. 30, 2022

Amanda Nunes and Brandon Moreno rewound the clock at UFC 277 in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, with Nunes regaining double-champ status by defeating Julianna Pena via unanimous decision for the 135-title, and Moreno regaining a portion of the flyweight crown by stopping Kai Kara-France in the third round of their interim title fight.

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UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2 Results

Main Event: Amanda Nunes defeats Julianna Pena via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-43)
Co-Main Event: Brandon Moreno defeats Kai Kara-France via TKO (strikes) at 4:34 of the third round
Sergei Pavlovich defeats Derrick Lewis via TKO (strikes) at :55 of the first round
Alexandre Pantoja defeats Alex Perez via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:31 of the first round
Magomed Ankalaev defeats Anthony Smith via TKO (strikes) at 3:09 of the second round
Alex Morono defeats Matthew Semelsberger via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Drew Dober defeats Rafael Alves via KO at 1:30 of the third round
Hamdy Abdelwahab defeats Don’Tale Mayes via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Drakkar Klose defeats Rafa Garcia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Michael Morales defeats Adam Fugitt via TKO (strikes) at 1:09 of the third round
Joselyne Edwards defeats Ji Yeon Kim via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Nicolae Negumereranu defeats Ihor Potieria via TKO (strikes) at 3:33 of the second round
Orion Cosce defeats Blood Diamond via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2 Main Card

Main Event: Amanda Nunes defeats Julianna Pena via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-43)

Julianna Pena fought hard to take the UFC bantamweight title from Amanda Nunes last December. She fought even harder to keep it in the UFC 277 main event, but at American Airlines Center in Dallas, it was Nunes’ night, as the G.O.A.T. of women’s combat sports became a double champ once again, regaining her 135-pound crown and adding it to her featherweight belt.

Scores were 50-45, 50-44, 50-43 for Nunes, now 22-5. Pena falls to 12-5.

After a tactical start highlighted by Nunes’ consistent switching of stances, Nunes began landing some punches and kicks while avoiding incoming fire from Pena. And the weapon of choice for “The Lioness” was a chopping right hand that sent Pena to a knee a couple times as the round progressed. Pena got in a few right hands of her own in the final minute, and after defending a Nunes takedown attempt, the two got into a heated exchange to the horn

DALLAS, TEXAS - JULY 30: (L-R) Amanda Nunes of Brazil kicks Julianna Pena in the UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 277 event at American Airlines Center on July 30, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

Less than 30 seconds into round two, Pena got dropped hard by a right hand, and while Nunes didn’t follow her to the mat, she called the Spokane native back to her feet, and another right hand put Pena on the deck. Again, Pena got to her feet and landed a combination to get back in the fray. A left put Pena down a third time with 90 seconds to go, but Pena kept getting up, and she made it out of the round.

Nunes opened the third with a spinning elbow, and a minute in, Pena finally locked up a clinch, but only briefly. Pena kept the pressure on, landing some hard shots, only to get taken down by Nunes, who settled into her opponent’s guard and fired off elbows, one of which cut the champion. Pena tried to stay busy from her back, but it was another round for the Brazilian.

Amanda Nunes Octagon Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

A takedown by Nunes started the championship rounds, and after she eluded a pair of submission attempts, she fired off more strikes. A third attempt by Pena, this one on Nunes’ arm, nearly hit paydirt, but the former champ got free. With less than two minutes to go, the combatants rose briefly before Nunes got another takedown. The game Pena didn’t stop looking for a submission, and once standing, she nearly caught Nunes with a game-changing punch, forcing another Nunes takedown in the closing seconds.

Pena landed a hard shot as round five began but got taken down by Nunes. Pena again went fishing for submissions before the pair stood, and soon enough the fight was back on the mat. With a minute left, Nunes nearly caught Pena with a choke, but there was no chance of “The Venezuelan Vixen” giving in. | Official Scorecards

Co-Main Event: Brandon Moreno defeats Kai Kara-France via TKO (strikes) at 4:34 of the third round

Brandon Moreno regained a portion of the flyweight title in Saturday’s UFC 277 co-main event, stopping Kai Kara-France in the third round win the interim belt and set up a fourth meeting with currently sidelined champion Deiveson Figueiredo.

A low kick by Kara-France brought a momentary half to the bout in the second minute, but both quickly got back to work, Kara-France landing a hard right hand with under two minutes to go that prompted a Moreno takedown attempt that came up empty. And while it was Moreno playing the role of aggressor, he wasn’t able to have sustained offensive success.

Brandon Moreno Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Moreno locked Kara-France up against the fence early in round two, but Kara-France got loose. Moreno’s technique and defense was solid, and though he took a bunch of leg kicks, he largely eluded his foe’s right hand as he added to his point total.

Early in the third, a sweep put Moreno on his back, and the Mexican was soon cut under his eye, courtesy of Kara-France’s ground strikes, and the Kiwi kept the pressure on once the two rose, showing his best form of the fight. Moreno stayed in the pocket with his opponent, though, and after dropping Kara-France with a perfect left kick to the liver, he unloaded with punches on his grounded foe until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 4:34 of the third round.

Brandon Moreno enters the Octagon prior to facing Kai Kara-France in their interim UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 277 event

DALLAS, TEXAS - JULY 30: Brandon Moreno of Mexico enters the Octagon prior to facing Kai Kara-France of New Zealand in their interim UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 277 event at American Airlines Center on July 30, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

With the win, Moreno moves to 20-6-2. Kara-France falls to 24-10, 1 NC.

The bout was dead even on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage, with one judge seeing it 19-19, one having Kara-France up 20-18, and the third seeing Moreno ahead 20-18. | Official Scorecards

Sergei Pavlovich defeats Derrick Lewis via TKO (strikes) at :55 of the first round

The Dallas crowd wasn’t pleased, but Russia’s Sergei Pavlovich will take the victory, as he stopped fan favorite Derrick Lewis in less than a minute.

Sergei Pavlovich Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

An early exchange got Lewis in trouble, and Pavlovich kept him there. And while the fans booed the stoppage by referee Dan Miragliotta after Lewis rose from the canvas after eating a series of right hands, the call stood, with the official time of the stoppage :55 into the fight.

With the win, the No.11-ranked Pavlovich moves to 16-1. The No.5-ranked Lewis falls to 26-10, 1 NC. | Official Scorecards

Alexandre Pantoja defeats Alex Perez via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:31 of the first round

Alexandre Pantoja wanted to make a statement in his bout with fellow flyweight contender Alex Perez. Mission Accomplished, as Pantoja submitted Perez in less than two minutes to make his case for a shot at the 125-pound belt.

Alexandre Pantoja Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

A brawl broke out as the fight began, Pantoja throwing hammers as Perez responded. The wild action soon led to Pantoja taking Perez’ back as they stood, and the Brazilian went all-in for the rear naked choke, ultimately forcing a tap out at 1:31 of the opening round.

With the win, the No.4-ranked Pantoja moves to 25-5. The No.6-ranked Perez falls to 24-7. | Official Scorecards

Magomed Ankalaev defeats Anthony Smith via TKO (strikes) at 3:09 of the second round

In the main card opener, Magomed Ankalaev put himself in the 205-pound title picture with a second-round stoppage of Anthony Smith that improved his current winning streak to nine.

It was a war of nerves in the first round, Smith and Ankalaev mainly throwing kicks at each other as they got acclimated to the fight. Things got interesting in the final minute, with Ankalaev scoring with kicks to the leg of the grounded Smith, who went back to his corner limping due to an ankle issue.

Magomed Ankalaev Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Smith locked up with Ankalaev and looked for a takedown early in round two, but the Russian defended well, and soon, it was Ankalaev loose and on the offensive. Smith tried to cover up, but it was to no avail, with a series of unanswered strikes prompting referee Jacob Montalvo to halt the fight at 3:09 of the second stanza.

With the win, the No.4-ranked Ankalaev moves to 18-1. The No.5-ranked Smith, who said that he broke his leg in the bout, falls to 36-17. | Official Scorecards

UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2 Prelims

Alex Morono defeats Matthew Semelsberger via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

In the featured prelim at 170 pounds, Alex Morono held off a furious late charge from Matthew Semelsberger en route to a three-round unanimous decision victory.

Scores were 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 for Morono, now 22-7, 1 NC. Semelsberger falls to 10-4.

Alex Morono Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Semelsberger was the aggressor at the outset, but a short left hook by Morono did force him to settle down slightly, and soon, right hands bruised up the Maryland product’s left eye. “Semi the Jedi” wouldn’t back down, though, and he stayed busy and kept throwing. The problem was that Morono’s counters remained sharp, and when he threw, more often than not, he was on target. Late in the second round, the fight went to the mat, and while Morono looked for an armbar, it was Semelsberger having a lot of success with his ground strikes.

DALLAS, TEXAS - JULY 30: (R-L) Alex Morono punches Matthew Semelsberger in a welterweight fight during the UFC 277 event at American Airlines Center on July 30, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

Entering the third round with his left eye swollen shut, Semelsberger got two visits from the Octagonside physician, and with the fight in danger of being stopped, he went after the finish, with a jumping knee putting Morono on the deck. After a brief spell there, Semelsberger battled Morono against the fence and then separated, looking for another bomb that would turn things around. It didn’t come, but it wasn’t from a lack of trying; instead, it was Morono fighting patiently down the stretch as he held off Semelsberger’s charges. | Official Scorecards

Drew Dober defeats Rafael Alves via KO at 1:30 of the third round

A one-punch knockout by Drew Dober got the Dallas crowd on their feet, as he halted Rafael Alves in the final round of their lightweight tilt.

After missing a wild kick and eating a more conventional one in return to begin the fight, Alves took the fight to the mat in the second minute, and after some stalled action, the Brazilian rose, landed two thudding kicks to the leg of Dober, prompting the Coloradan to rise, as well. The pair proceeded to throw bombs at each other, Alves’ defense keeping Dober from landing anything significant.

Drew Dober Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Dober began focusing on Alves’ body in round two, bad news for the tiring Brazilian, who was forced back to the fence by his opponent’s pressure. That pressure was interrupted by a Dober eye poke that prompted a visit from the Octagonside physician, and the break was good for Alves, who came back swinging in the final minute, igniting the crowd as he slugged it out with Dober, trying to make something big happen.

Drew Dober Octagon Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

The pace stayed high in the third, but Dober ended it suddenly and emphatically, with a left hook to the body that folded Alves and brought in referee Mike Beltran to stop matters at 1:30 of the final frame.

With the win, Dober moves to 25-11, 1 NC. Alves falls to 20-11. | Official Scorecards

Hamdy Abdelwahab defeats Don’Tale Mayes via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Egypt’s first UFC fighter, Hamby Abdelwahab, also became the first Egyptian to win in the Octagon, as he scored a hard-fought split decision over Don’Tale Mayes.

Scores were 29-28, 29-28, 28-29 for Abdelwahab, now 6-0. Mayes falls to 9-5.

Hamdy Abdelwahab Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Both fighters were throwing hard from the start, but Abdelwahab was landing more shots and two minutes in, he hurt Mayes and drilled him with a barrage of punches, then followed with a suplex to the mat. Mayes weathered the storm and was able to get a restart by referee Kerry Hatley with a minute left, and Mayes fired off a flying knee that missed to let his foe know that he was still there, soon kicking off a heated exchange that closed out the round.

Mayes rocked Abdelwahab with a series of shots early in round two, but the Egyptian Olympic wrestler shook off the blows and stayed aggressive in an attempt to return the favor. Mayes was effective in picking his shots, but late in the round, an ill-advised takedown attempt saw Abdelwahab control matters from the top position.

Hamdy Abdelwahab Octagon Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Abdelwahab opened the final round with a takedown and he kept Mayes grounded until Hatley restarted the bout with a minute left. And while Mayes made a late run at ending the fight, Abdelwahab took the shots and fired back, sending the bout to the scorecards. | Official Scorecards

Drakkar Klose defeats Rafa Garcia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

In lightweight action, Drakkar Klose defeated Rafa Garcia via close, but unanimous, decision over three rounds.

Scores were 29-28 across the board for Klose, now 13-2-1. Garcia, who stepped in on short notice to replace Diego Ferreira, falls to 14-3.

A couple hard left hands by Garcia stung Klose and paused him briefly, but the Michigan native remained in the role of aggressor as he attempted to implement his grappling attack. With less than 90 seconds left, he scored a few takedowns, the last one more substantial as he kept Garcia grounded to the end of the round.

Drakkar Klose Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Garcia got his own takedown nearly two minutes into the second stanza, but referee Jacob Montalvo restarted the action a short while later, even though Garcia was working. A wild right uppercut stunned Garcia later, but Klose wound up on the mat once more at the end of the round.

A minute into the final round, Garcia got another takedown, but Klose was up quickly and back to work with his strikes. The pair had a nice exchange of uppercuts on the inside, and Klose was taking advantage as Garcia tired, marching forward as he looked to make an impression on the judges. | Official Scorecards

UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2 Early Prelims

Michael Morales defeats Adam Fugitt via TKO (strikes) at 1:09 of the third round

Unbeaten welterweight phenom Michael Morales continued to impress, as he halted newcomer Adam Fugitt in the third round.

Fugitt got off to a good start as he stayed busy on the feet, and when Morales started to find his range with right hands, the Oregon native responded smoothly with a slick takedown. Morales worked his way back to his feet with a little over a minute left, and he continued to score well on the favorite until the Ecuadorian got in some late shots.

Michael Morales Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Morales settled into a groove against the newcomer in the second, scoring more than he did in the previous round, but Fugitt continued to keep it close. In the third, though, Morales rocked and dropped Fugitt with a right hand, and while the newcomer tried to fight his way out of trouble, Morales wasn’t having it, and he finished the bout, with referee Herb Dean stepping in at 1:09 of round three.

Morales moves to 14-0 with the win. Fugitt falls to 8-3. | Official Scorecards

Joselyne Edwards defeats Ji Yeon Kim via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Joselyne Edwards made it two straight in her bantamweight bout with Ji Yeon Kim, winning a three-round split decision.

Scores were 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29 for Edwards, now 12-4. Kim falls to 9-6-2.

In a mainly tactical first round, Edwards, a late replacement for Mariya Agapova who missed weight at 137.5 pounds, controlled matters behind a superior work rate on the feet as Kim only had sporadic moments of success. “Firefist” did have a better second frame, though, stinging Edwards on a couple occasions as she evened things up on the scorecards.

Joselyne Edwards Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Looking to switch things up in a close fight, Edwards threw Kim to the mat midway through the final frame and nearly sunk in an armbar, but the South Korea native got free and rose to her feet. As the two grappled against the fence, Edwards scored with a hard combination upstairs before they broke, and a heated exchange closed the fight before sending it to the scorecards. | Official Scorecards

Nicolae Negumereranu defeats Ihor Potieria via TKO (strikes) at 3:33 of the second round

Romanian light heavyweight Nicolae Negumereanu was firing on all cylinders in his bout with Ihor Potieria as he delivered a second-round TKO victory over the newcomer.

Negumereranu clinched early and worked for a takedown that he got midway through the opening round. Potieria gave up his back, but he used that decision to get to his feet, only to be grounded once more. When the two rose again with under a minute left, Potieria looked winded, and he was unable to get any payback by the end of the frame.

Nicolae Negumereanu Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Potieria got in a couple shots as round two commenced, but Negumereranu decided to stay on the feet with the Ukrainian, and after a series of unanswered blows, he unleashed punches and knees on his foe non-stop, prompting referee Kerry Hatley to stop the fight at 3:33 of the second stanza.

With the win, his fourth in a row, Negumereranu moves to 13-1. Potieria falls to 19-3. | Official Scorecards

Orion Cosce defeats Blood Diamond via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

In the welterweight opener, Orion Cosce defeated Blood Diamond via unanimous decision.

Scores were 29-28 across the board for Cosce, now 8-1. Diamond falls to 3-2.

Cosce, who missed weight for the bout at 172.5 pounds - worked hard to get the takedown as the bout got underway, and though Diamond defended well for a spell, with two minutes to go, Cosce was able to throw his foe to the mat. Diamond rose but had a pair of return visits before getting separation and landing a high kick in the closing seconds.

Orion Cosce Post-Fight Interview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

Diamond landed even more strikes in the second, stunning Cosce with a spinning back elbow with a little over a minute left. Diamond was hesitant in his attack at first, allowing Cosce to recover and get in some shots just before the horn.

Cosce returned the fight to the mat early in round three, and while the Zimbabwe native got to his feet, as they went back to the canvas, Cosce took his foe’s back and looked for a choke. When that didn’t happen, Cosce sought out an arm triangle and then settled on ground control, which won him the round and the fight. | Official Scorecards

UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes, took place on Saturday, July 30, 2022 live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards, and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!

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