UFC 289: Nunes vs Aldana the Odds are Out

On June 10, 2023, Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana will face off in the UFC’s mixed martial arts. The event is scheduled to take place at the Rogers Arena in British Columbia, and the bout is the main event for UFC 289. Initially, Nunes was to battle Julianna Peña, but the latter pulled out due to broken ribs, and Aldana took her place. Like Nunes, Aldana is a professional mixed martial artist; many believe she has what it takes to face Nunes. 

Besides being aired on television, crypto betting sites, especially Stake, a UFC sponsor, will cover the event. If you want to place wagers on the bout, discover reliable crypto betting operators verified by CryptoGamblingTV experts. These sites boast great odds and extensive coverage of the fight. Before betting, however, here’s everything you should know about UFC 289’s main fighters:

The Two UFC Belts Brazilian MMAer Has Nothing to Fear 

Amanda Nunes, nicknamed “The Lioness,” has amassed a record of 22-5-0 in the UFC, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Before her first fight with Pena, Nunes was undefeated and unchallenged in the bantamweight and featherweight classes. During her undefeated run of 12 fights, she overcame such notable opponents as Valentina Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Cris Cyborg, Felicia Spencer, Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie, and Megan Anderson. According to multiple sports betting predictions, she is the favourite to win thanks to these achievements and her current record. 

Nunes’ only real flaw over the past few years is that she appeared ‘off’ during her first battle against Pena. She seemed uninterested and unmotivated, which was evident by her sluggish pace. The fighter said that she was recovering from COVID-19 and that her camp was the worst she had ever experienced in the run-up to the bout. That was proven in the rematch. After a five-round battle, Nunes prevailed by unanimous decision to reclaim her title and make history as the first woman in UFC history to win the title twice.

According to UFC statistics, Nunes averages 4.40 significant strikes per minute with 51% accuracy while taking only 2.75 significant strikes per minute. She defends against takedowns 82% of the time and averages 2.61 per 15 minutes of fighting. Her takedown accuracy is 56%, with a 0.81 submission average. Plus, she stands at 5 feet, 8 inches tall and has a 69-inch reach, which gives her the advantage.

Aldana Takes The Lead, And She Is Here To Prove Herself 

The second meeting between Nunes and Peña ended with Nunes reclaiming her title and putting both fighters in a draw. Both were meant to balance the scales in the Ultimate Fight Championship 289, but Peña pulled out due to broken ribs, and Irene Aldana took her place. 

Irene Aldana signed with the UFC in 2016, where she lost her first fight but won the battle of the Night bonus award. Her most recent victory came at UFC 279, where she beat Macy Chiasson with a knockout kick. Prior to that, at UFC 264, Aldana knocked out Yana Kunitskaya with elbows in the opening round. 

Aldana’s career has slowed down and improved dramatically over the past few years. After losing by decision to Holm in 2020, she has only fought once a year in the three years since then, but it appears to be paying off as she has put on outstanding performances in her last two fights. She currently has a record of 14-6-0 and stands taller than Nunes at 5 feet 9 inches but with a smaller reach of 68 inches. 

As you’ll learn from keeping up with UFC news, Aldana’s striking is noteworthy because she scores 5.39 significant hits per minute, though with a lesser accuracy of 39%. With her high rate of strikes per minute, she is now recognised as the fourth-best female bantamweight fighter in UFC history. However, at 5.71, she takes more blows than Nunes, whose power punches could be a problem. Interestingly, her defence against strikes is relatively high, at 61%.

Aldana prefers to keep the battle standing, as she attempts only 0.2 takedowns per 15-minute match. During fights, Aldana is also less likely to try submissions, having a submission average of 0.3 per 15 minutes.

UFC 289: Surrounding fights 

The fight card for UFC 289 includes other bouts that are worth mentioning. These are:

Charles Oliveira vs Beneil Dariush 

The lightweight matchup between Oliveira and Dariush was postponed from UFC 288 to the co-main event of UFC 289 due to Oliveira pulling out of the initial fight because of an injury. Before 2017, Oliveira alternated between wins and losses before he upped his game and went on a winning streak with 11 straight victories, beating well-known fighters like Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. His only loss in that run was against Tony Ferguson. Oliveira is currently ranked No. 1 in the UFC lightweight division, while his opponent, Dariush, who boasts eight victories, is No. 4. 

Mike Malott vs Adam Fugitt

Mike Malott, a 31-year-old Canadian boxer, has eight professional wins and one loss. Malott, who currently has a four-fight winning streak, boasts a 100% finish percentage in his eight wins, including four knockouts and four submissions. His opponent, the 34-year-old American male fighter Adam Fugitt, has an 8-3-0 pro-MMA record. Fugitt has an 88% finish rate on his 8 victories, including 4 knockouts, 3 submissions, and 1 decision. Despite both having impressive records, Malott has better-winning chances. 

Dan Ige vs Nate Landwehr

Since turning pro in 2014, Daniel Alexander Ige has fought in the Legacy Fighting Championship, the Titan FC, and the RFA. On December 13, 2022, he was ranked as the thirteenth-best featherweight in the UFC. He stands at five feet seven inches with a reach of 71 inches and holds a record of 16-6-0. Nate, who made his debut in the UFC in 2020, has an impressive record of 17-4-0. He also has a height and reach advantage, as he stands at five feet nine inches and has a reach of 62 inches.