UFC fighter Julianna Pena has adamantly denied having received surgery following her bantamweight title fight with Amanda Nunes Sunday night. Before losing her title in the rematch against Nunes, Pena sustained a massive gash that UFC President Dana White said took a “big chunk” out of her forehead. White also said that she was going to see a plastic surgeon, but Pena refuted these claims, calling the injury a “cat scratch” and clarifying that she only needed a few stitches.

Pena’s fight against Nunes Sunday was a rematch from last December in Las Vegas when Pena upset the champion with a rear naked choke submission in the second round to win the title. Nunes returned as a heavy favorite going into the second matchup and won in five rounds by unanimous decision.

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The highlight of Nunes’ victory, however, came in the third round, when the new champ pinned Pena to the mat and began striking at open cuts along the top of her opponent’s forehead. Blood splattered across the mat and began to flow freely down Pena’s face, concealing the gruesome injury.

Amanda Nunes Surgery?

Though White said that Pena was seeing a plastic surgeon in a press conference after the match, Pena later clarified on Instagram that she only required stitches for what she considered to be a minor injury. She also seemed intent on finishing the trilogy.

“Tougher than a two-dollar steak. Thanks for the love, everyone! Just a cat scratch that required a few stitches, no chunks missing, no surgery necessary. Love you all! We’re 1-1 now,” Pena said.

Pena and Nunes’ fight was the main event of UFC 272, an event at the American Airlines Centre in Dallas. The pair headlined a 13-match card that also included interim men’s flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, who defeated Kai Kara-France with a knockout in the third round.

Tonight’s UFC 277 main card will headline two champion fights that fans won’t want to miss.

The event, which will take place in the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, will include two championship fights and rematches. 

The main event will feature a highly anticipated rematch of Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes, who has seven title defenses over two divisions. 

Before shocking losing to Pena in December, Nunes was on a 12-fight win streak. 

But Pena has not been intimidated. 

“It’s frustrating,” Pena said during a UFC press conference.

“They say that [Nunes] slipped on a banana peel and that’s why she lost that night and I don’t think that’s the case. We’re going to run it back and do it again and then maybe you guys will finally put some respect on my name.” 

UFC President Dana White noted that the stair down between Nunes and Pena on Thursday is one of his top-viewed videos of all time on his Instagram account. 

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The fight before Nunes and Pena will feature men’s flyweights Brandon Moreno and Kai Kara France. 

The first time the two fought in 2019, it was an entertaining one that resulted in Moreno winning by unanimous decision. 

But this time, the stakes will be higher and the winner will take home the interim flyweight belt. 

“I prepared myself for another war,” Moreno said in a pre-fight conference. 

 “I’m ready for whatever.”

The reason why there’s a vacant belt is that champion Deiveson Figueiredo had to pull out due to injuries. 

The Brazilian mixed martial artist (MMA) fought Moreno three times – with Figueiredo winning the most recent bout by unanimous decision.

Moreno beat Figueiredo and took home the belt the second time the two squared off in June 2021. 

The rest of the full main card for UFC 277 is as follows for tonight: 

• Derick Lewis versus Sergei Pavlovich
• Alexandre Pantoja versus Alex Perez
• Magomed Ankalaev versus Anthony Smith

The prelim fights will begin at 8 pm ET and can be watched on ABC, ESPN or ESPN+ at 8 pm.

The PPV kicks off at 10 pm ET and can be watched on ESPN+ for $74.99.