Julianna Peña calls for an Amanda Nunes trilogy after UFC 307 title win

SALT LAKE CITY – Julianna Pena is determined to settle the score with Amanda Nunes.

Although Nunes is retired, Peña (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is still hoping for a third fight between the two, especially after their last appearance in the octagon. Peña reclaimed the UFC women's bantamweight title on Saturday by defeating Raquel Pennington (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC) in a split decision in the co-main event of UFC 307.

Peña hopes their championship win will be enough to bring Nunes back from retirement so they can resolve their 1-1 draw and settle the score with their rival.

“When I saw Amanda retire that day, I sat at the cage and booed because I didn’t think she was really finished,” Peña said at the UFC 307 post-fight interview. “You hear Dana White say he thinks she retired too early, and then you watch her and I think she's just twiddling her thumbs and saying, 'What am I doing?' I'm bored. Who am I if I don't fight in the UFC?

“I feel like she's missing this sport and trying to find something to make her come back. …I really don't think she's finished. She retired too early. I think she’s looking for something to do.”

Aside from Nunes expressing interest in a possible fight again, Peña believes a third fight between the two would be the biggest fight in women's MMA history.

“For me, this is the greatest fight in the history of women’s mixed martial arts because we are 1-1,” Peña said. “My fight against her was so dominant that I made her tap. The second time I ran out of time. I easily lost a decision – good. No problem. But it would be nice to end it once and for all and get the trilogy fight she was running from.”

There's no guarantee Nunes would be interested in returning. But if that's the case, Peña may well defend her title against Kayla Harrsion – who also fought at UFC 307 and defeated Ketlen Vieira.

“If Amanda becomes a coward and doesn't come back and fight me, then you're absolutely right: Kayla brings a lot of exposure and attention to the sport, and I love that.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 307 event hub.