Irene Aldana News

Amanda Nunes, Irene Aldana
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UFC 289 | Pro fighters make their picks for Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana title fight

Cole Shelton - June 7, 2023

In the main event of UFC 289, Amanda Nunes looks to defend her bantamweight title as she takes on Irene Aldana who stepped up after Julianna Pena was forced out of the scrap due to an injury. Heading into the fight, Nunes is a -350 favorite while the Mexican is a +255 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight at UFC 289, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise, most are picking Nunes to remain the champ, although some think Aldana can make it difficult with her striking.

Amanda-Nunes-Dana-White
Irene Aldana

Amanda Nunes labels Irene Aldana a more dangerous opponent than Julianna Pena

Josh Evanoff - May 29, 2023

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes has discussed her return against Irene Aldana. ‘The Lioness’ has been out of the octagon for almost a year, last competing at UFC 277 in July. That bout was the Brazilian’s long-awaited rematch against Julianna Pena. In December 2021, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ famously upset Nunes by second-round submission, ending her title reign.

Amanda Nunes
Irene Aldana

Amanda Nunes excited to defend her title against “real opponent” Irene Aldana at UFC 289: “After what I did with Julianna in our last fight”

Harry Kettle - May 10, 2023

Amanda Nunes has explained why she’s happier to be defending her UFC bantamweight title against Irene Aldana as opposed to Julianna Pena. At UFC 289 next month, the original plan was for Amanda Nunes to battle Julianna Pena in a trilogy bout. However, after Pena was forced to withdraw, Nunes received a new opponent in the form of Irene Aldana.

Dana White
Dana White

Dana White reveals backup fighter for Amanda Nunes vs Irene Aldana at UFC 289

Cole Shelton - May 4, 2023

Dana White has revealed there will be a backup fighter for the UFC 289 main event between Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana. On Tuesday, White revealed that Pena was out of the UFC 289 main event against Nunes and Aldana has stepped in on short notice. Aldana, meanwhile, was supposed to headline the May 20 event against Raquel Pennington, so with that fight off, White revealed Pennington will be the backup fighter for June’s title bout.

Raquel Pennington, Irene Aldana
Raquel Pennington

UFC announces three new fights for May 20 event, including Raquel Pennington vs. Irene Aldana 2 as the headliner

Cole Shelton - April 18, 2023

The UFC has found its main event for UFC Vegas 73 on May 20. The promotion announced in a press release that Raquel Pennington vs. Irene Aldana has been booked to headline the card on May 20 from the UFC Apex. The fight serves as a rematch of their fight back in July of 2019 in a scrap that Pennington won by split decision.

Raquel Pennington

Irene Aldana vs. Raquel Pennington rematch in the works to headline UFC San Antonio on March 25th

Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2023

UFC women’s bantamweight contenders Irene Aldana and Raquel Pennington could be squaring off in March. Earlier this week, there were reports ‘Robles’ would be facing Amanda Nunes at UFC 285 in March. However, it was later clarified that ‘The Lioness’ likely wouldn’t face Aldana next. As of now, the women’s bantamweight, and featherweight champion remains unbooked.

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Irene Aldana

Irene Aldana eyeing title fight against the winner of Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2: "I'm ready"

Josh Evanoff - June 16, 2022

UFC women’s bantamweight contender Irene Aldana believes it’s her turn to get a title shot. Later this year, Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes are set to meet in a rematch for the women’s bantamweight title. Their first outing at UFC 269 last December, saw ‘The Lioness’ submitted in the second round. The bout was one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.

Ketlen Vieira Irene Aldana
Ketlen Vieira

Ketlen Vieira dismisses Irene Aldana rematch following UFC Vegas 55 win: "I don’t think it’s necessary"

Fernando Quiles - May 22, 2022

Ketlen Vieira has no interest in a rematch with Irene Aldana at this time. Vieira shared the Octagon with Holly Holm in the main event of UFC Vegas 55 this past Saturday night (May 21). It was a competitive fight that ended in a controversial split decision. Vieira took the split nod but many felt Holm should’ve had her hand raised.

Yana-Kunitskaya
Thiago Santos

Yana Kunitskaya announces pregnancy a month after Irene Aldana loss

Drake Riggs - August 16, 2021

Yana Kunitskaya is going to be taking some time away from the octagon. The No. 6 ranked UFC bantamweight contender teased her pregnancy on Sunday. On April 1, Kunitskaya and her partner, UFC light heavyweight Thiago Santos, announced a fake pregnancy for April Fool’s Day. MMA Fighting has confirmed that this time the announcement is legitimate.

Irene Aldana
UFC

Irene Aldana issues statement after decisive loss to Holly Holm

Tom Taylor - October 5, 2020

Irene Aldana has issued a statement after she came up short opposite former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm over the weekend. Aldana took on Holm in the main event of UFC Fight Island 4 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi last Saturday. The bout represented the biggest test of her MMA career thus far, but unfortunately, it proved a bit too much, too soon, as she was soundly outfought by the former champion across five rounds.

Holly Holm, UFC
Irene Aldana

What's next for Holly Holm and Irene Aldana after UFC Fight Island 4?

Cole Shelton - October 5, 2020

In the main event of UFC Fight Island 4, Holly Holm was looking to prove she is still the number one contender while Irene Aldana was looking to earn a title shot with a win. It was the first time Aldana was headlining a show and in the lead-up to the fight, it was a pick’em for a reason. There were paths to victory for both, yet it was Holm who dominated the fight from start to finish to earn a clear decision win.

Holly Holm, UFC Fight Island 4
Irene Aldana

Pros react after Holly Holm defeats Irene Aldana at UFC Fight Island 4

Chris Taylor - October 3, 2020

A key women’s bantamweight bout between Holly Holm and Irene Aldana headlined tonight’s UFC Fight Island 4 event in Abu Dhabi. The UFC’s former women’s bantamweight champion, Holm (13-5 MMA), had entered tonight’s contest looking to build off the momentum from her unanimous decision victory over Raquel Pennington back in January.

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Irene Aldana

UFC Fight Island 4: 'Holm vs Aldana' Live Results and Highlights

Chris Taylor - October 3, 2020

The Octagon remains on Fight Island for tonight’s UFC on ESPN event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Holly Holm vs. Irene Aldana. The UFC’s former women’s bantamweight champion, Holm (13-5 MMA), will enter tonight’s contest looking to build off the momentum from her unanimous decision victory over Raquel Pennington in January.

Holly Holm, UFC Fight Island 4
Irene Aldana

UFC Fight Island 4 weigh-in results: Holm, Aldana make weight

Tom Taylor - October 2, 2020

On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the under-the-radar UFC Fight Island 4 card on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The UFC Fight Island 4 event will be topped by a women’s bantamweight fight between the division’s former champion, Holly Holm, and surging Mexican contender Irene Aldana. If Aldana wins this fight, the expectation is that she’ll earn a crack at reigning bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, while Holm could also be right back in title contention with a victory.

Irene Aldana
Holly Holm

After having a "really bad" case of COVID-19, Irene Aldana eyes stoppage win over Holly Holm to earn title shot

Cole Shelton - September 29, 2020

Irene Aldana is glad she will still be the main event against Holly Holm. Aldana was supposed to fight Holm in Las Vegas on August 1, yet she had tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to pull out of the fight. It was also a bad case of the coronavirus and Aldana said it had impacted her training quite a bit.

Just Scrap Radio
MMA Podcasts

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 12 with Irene Aldana, Brandon Royval, Yorgan De Castro & Casey Kenney

Cole Shelton - September 29, 2020

The 12th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Fight Island 4. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event and sixth-ranked bantamweight, Irene Aldana (2:01). Next, seventh-ranked flyweight, Brandon Royval (16:10) comes on. Heavyweight, Yorgan De Castro (31:10) joins the program. Finally, UFC bantamweight, Casey Kenney (44:25) closes out the program.

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Irene Aldana

Irene Aldana praised by UFC president Dana White: 'We love her'

Adam D Martin - December 15, 2019

UFC president Dana White praised surging bantamweight contender Irene Aldana after a brilliant performance on the preliminary card at UFC 245. In one of the most memorable fights on the prelims, Aldana connected on a vicious left hook to drop her opponent Ketlen Vieira and pick up the biggest win of her UFC career to date. With the victory, Aldana has now won five of her last six fights overall and she could be in line to fight UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Amanda Nunes, for the belt in short order.

Irene Aldana
Irene Aldana

UFC 245 | Irene Aldana believes win over Ketlen Vieira earns her title shot; eyes being backup for Nunes-GDR

Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019

Irene Aldana believes she is part of a No. 1 contender fight with Ketlen Vieira at UFC 245. Vieira, who is ranked No. 2 in the division, has not fought since March of 2018, so Aldana was surprised she was offered this fight.

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