Nunes tests positive for COVID-19, out of UFC 265 bout vs. Pena
UFC 265 is down one championship fight.
Amanda Nunes has been forced to withdraw from her women's bantamweight title defense against Julianna Pena after testing positive for COVID-19, UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell told ESPN's Mike Coppinger. The fight was scheduled as the Aug. 7 co-main event in Houston.
The promotion plans to reschedule the bout when Nunes is healthy, Campbell said.
Nunes, who also holds the women's featherweight belt, was slated to make her first 135-pound defense since 2019 against Pena. The 33-year-old Brazilian is coming off back-to-back wins at 145 pounds: a first-round submission of Megan Anderson and a lopsided decision over Felicia Spencer.
Pena was set to challenge for UFC gold for the first time in her career. She earned a title shot by submitting Sara McMann in January. Pena, 31, has alternated wins and losses in her past four contests and is ranked No. 5 in the division.
An interim heavyweight title bout between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane will headline UFC 265.