ibraheim718 wrote:It just looked like Nunes either didn't have a game plan or didn't think she needed a game plan. It was a little bit sad to see someone as good as her underestimate her opponent like that. A simple game plan like really focusing on establishing the leg kick before she started unloading her right hand probably would've won her the fight. Or making a concerted effort to not unload early until she had Pena up against the cage. I think almost any type of plan other than just trying to knock the chick out would've worked for her.
Olivera is something else man.. he's like a swarm of bees.. little nicks here and there, a few knees and kicks and then he's climbing all over you and you can't get him off or keep him at bay. I think he may hold that belt for a minute.
I was surprised she didn't go to the low kick more too. Their first exchange, she made Pena slip and fall off a well-timed low-kick while Pena chased the jab. Pena led EVERYTHING with that quick jab. Everything else was winged out there but the jab was slowing and framing Nunes' head and strikes. Calf-kicks coulda changed that I think.
That said, Pena had to eat some SHOTS to find success at least. It felt like Nunes started to buy into her power too much and didn't worry about the rest. It's not too different from when Rousey got too confident because women were going in there beaten before the fight even started. They had Ronda thinking she could box . Nunes isn't that far off, but she clearly lost confidence when she couldn't back Pena up with a well timed shot.