The year 2023 has proven to be a remarkable one for Mexican fighters in the world of MMA. This Saturday at UFC 289, Mexico has the chance to claim four UFC titles. The year began with Brandon Moreno recapturing the men’s flyweight championship by defeating Deiveson Figueiredo in their fourth fight. Shortly after, Yair Rodriguez secured the interim featherweight title with a stunning second-round triangle choke against Josh Emmett. And just a month later, Alexa Grasso shocked the world by submitting Valentina Shevchenko with a rear-naked choke in the women’s flyweight division.
Now, Irene Aldana aims to replicate her teammate Grasso’s victory and make history. However, standing in her way is the dominant Amanda Nunes, considered by many to be the greatest female fighter of all time. Despite this, former two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes the stars are aligning for Aldana to continue Mexico’s success.
Cejudo expressed his thoughts on his YouTube channel, stating, “There’s something about that fight that makes me believe that if Amanda Nunes cannot take down Irene Aldana, with all the Mexicans holding belts like Brandon Moreno, Alexa Grasso, and Yair Rodriguez, it shows that their training is unstoppable. I’ve noticed a slight decline in Amanda Nunes’ performance. I don’t see her throwing as many kicks. If she manages to take the fight to the ground, she might secure the victory. However, I can actually see Irene Aldana knocking her out.”
Aldana has built a reputation as a finisher throughout her career, with eight of her 14 wins coming by knockout and three by submission. Her lethal boxing skills, honed at Lobo Gym alongside her stablemates, are her greatest assets. Aldana earned her shot at the UFC title with impressive knockout victories over Yana Santos and Macy Chiasson.
Cejudo sees Aldana’s combination of powerful punches and unwavering confidence as a lethal threat to Nunes. The key for Aldana will be to bring everything together on fight night. Cejudo added, “Aldana and Alexa Grasso both possess heavy hands and striking skills. If Amanda Nunes fails to utilize her tactical sense and experience, whether by landing kicks or taking Aldana down, she’ll be in trouble. Irene is incredibly confident, reminiscent of Alexa’s mindset before facing Valentina. Confidence is crucial. So, with no hard feelings towards either fighter, if I had to place my bet, I’d go with Irene Aldana.”
In conclusion, as UFC 289 approaches, there is a growing sentiment shared by Cejudo that Aldana has the potential to cause an upset by knocking out Amanda Nunes. It promises to be an exciting clash between two formidable fighters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about upset prediction
Q: What is the prediction made by Henry Cejudo regarding the UFC 289 fight between Irene Aldana and Amanda Nunes?
A: Henry Cejudo predicts an upset in the UFC 289 fight between Irene Aldana and Amanda Nunes. He believes that Aldana has the potential to knock out Nunes, citing her strong boxing skills and confidence as key factors in her favor.
More about upset prediction
- UFC 289 Official Website
- [Henry Cejudo’s YouTube Channel](insert link)
- [Irene Aldana’s Fighter Profile on UFC.com](insert link)
- [Amanda Nunes’ Fighter Profile on UFC.com](insert link)