Amanda Nunes Tests Positive For COVID-19, Out Of UFC 265

Per ESPN, UFC 265 has lost its co-main event, as unfortunately Amanda Nunes has tested positive for COVID-19. Nunes was scheduled to defend her UFC women's bantamweight championship against #5 ranked Julianna Pena.

This is an unfortunate setback for both champion and challenger. Nunes looked to continue her path of destruction as double champ in the UFC, holding the bantamweight and featherweight championships simultaneously following stunning first round finishes of Miesha Tate and Cris Cyborg, as well as starching Ronda Rousey in a brisk 48 seconds. For Pena, this was to be her first shot at UFC championship gold, following a respectable run up the rankings which saw her defeat Cat Zingano, Jessica Eye, and most recently Sara McMann by 3rd round submission.

UFC 265 also suffers in card quality due to this fight cancellation. The main event is an Interim Heavyweight Championship fight, for some inexplicable reason, between Derrick Lewis and Cyril Gane. Reigning champion Francis Ngannou and his management expressed willingness to fight in September, leading us to this farce of an interim title fight. So losing the only "real" championship fight on the card in Nunes vs. Pena is a significant blow.

We wish Amanda Nunes all the best and hope for her speedy recovery from the virus, so that she may resume what she does best- decimating all challengers inside the Octagon.