UFC 277 results, highlights: Amanda Nunes regains bantamweight title with thorough beating of Julianna Pena

'The Lioness' is back on top at 135 pounds after dominating Pena over the course of 25 minutes

Amanda Nunes is back. Already considered the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, Nunes avenged the lone blemish in her recent run on Saturday night by dismantling Julianna Pena over five rounds to earn back her bantamweight title. 

"The Lioness" took apart Pena with her speed and accuracy on the feet in the opening round before really putting on a clinic in the second. Nunes scored three knockdowns in Round 2 as Pena continued to charge in wildly while Nunes planted counter right hands on her chin. The three knockdowns set a record for most in a women's fight in UFC history.

From there, Nunes took the battle to the ground as she opened up a huge gash on Pena's hairline in the third round with an elbow from mount. The cut would only get worse as the fight continued on, leaving Pena a bloody mess by the end of the final round. 

Pena nearly scored another upset in Round 4. The now former champion pressed her foot against the fence and swung into an armbar as Nunes chased into clinch and grapple with a takedown. The submission attempt was deep and Nunes fought hard to wrangle free. The close call was reminiscent of UFC 152 when Vitor Belfort came close to submitting UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones with the same entry into an armbar.

Nunes also made history by joining Deiveson Figueiredo in being a former champ to win back his title in an immediate rematch. Nunes improved to 22-5 overall and adds Julianna Pena to a hitlist boasting Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Miesha Tate and Germaine de Randamie. Pena dropped to 11-5 as a professional overall.

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Plus, Brandon Moreno is once again wearing gold around his waist as the Mexican scored a brutal knockout of Kai Kara-France via body kick to earn the interim flyweight title. Moreno called into the cage currently titleholder Deiveson Figuieredo so the two could bury the hatchet ahead of their expected fourth meeting for the full title.

CBS Sports was with you the entire way on Saturday bringing you all the results and highlights from the UFC 277 below.

UFC 277 card and results

• Amanda Nunes def. Julianna Pena (c) via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-43)
• Brandon Moreno (ic) def. Kai Kara-France via third-round TKO (kick, punches)
• Sergei Pavlovich def. Derrick Lewis via first-round TKO (punches)
• Alexandre Pantoja def. Alex Perez via first-round submission (rear naked choke)
  
• Magomed Ankalaev def. Anthony Smith via second-round TKO (punches)
  
• Alex Morono def. Matthew Semelsberger via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Drew Dober def. Rafael Alves via third-round knockout (punch)
• Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Don'Tale Mayes via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Drakkar Klose def. Rafa Garcia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Michael Morales def. Adam Fugitt via third-round TKO (punches)
• Joselyne Edwards def. Ji Yeon Kim via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
• Nicolae Negumereanu def. Ihor Potieria second-round TKO (knees)
• Orion Cosce def. Blood Diamond via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

[Jul 31, 2022 at 12:49 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Official Result: Amanda Nunes def. Julianna Pena (50-45, 50-44, 50-43) to win the UFC women's bantamweight championship. Nunes dominated Pena for the majority of the fight to restate her claim as two-division champion. Nunes set a record as the first fighter to score three knockdowns in a UFC women's fight. Her most dominant round was the second, where she repeatedly knocked down her opponent. Pena snatched a deep armbar in Round 4 that nearly scored her a second upset but Nunes fought free. She is now the UFC women's bantamweight and featherweight champion.

[Jul 31, 2022 at 12:44 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes -- Round 5: Nunes and Pena usher in round five with a hug. Pena opened with a hard punch and Nunes answered with a takedown. Pena threw her legs up for another submission attempt but Nunes wigled free. Nunes scored a judo takedown and settled in side control. The "Lioness" rained elbows down on a bloodied Pena. The champion locked up a kimura but Nunes used it to take her opponent's back. Nunes back on top. A big up-kick landed for Pena. Nunes replied with a huge punch and then hunted for the top crucifix position. Nunes with another back take and a neck crank. Nunes closed out the final five seconds with a little jig. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nunes (50-44 overall for Nunes)

[Jul 31, 2022 at 12:37 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes -- Round 4: Nunes ducked under Pena's punches and scored an early takedown. Pena hunted another omoplata but received two huge punches as a consequence. Pena threw up a triangle choke set-up into another omoplata but no dice. Pena pushed off the cage and snatched a deep armbar reminscent of Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort. Much like that fight, Nunes escaped. Big elbow by Nunes. Pena was terrible bloodied as they returned to the feet. An overhand right landed for Nunes followed by another takedown. Pena staggered Nunes with a right hook but Nunes landed another takedown. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nunes (40-35 overall for Nunes)

[Jul 31, 2022 at 12:31 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes -- Round 3: Pena tagged Nunes and the former champ backed up. Nunes quelled the forward pressure with a sharp counter punch. Nunes landed a nice trip and wound up in side control. Pena with some nice hammer fists off her back. Nunes responded with an elbow in close. Nunes split Pena open at the hairline with another sharp elbow. Nunes wiggled out of a loose omoplata attempt and settled into half guard. Official scorecard: 10-9 Nunes (30-26 overall for Nunes)

[Jul 31, 2022 at 12:25 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes -- Round 2: Nunes with a body kick early. There is some swelling under Nunes' eye. Nunes dropped Pena badly with a right hand coming in! Nunes waved Pena back to her feet. Pena rushed in and flailed strikes. Nunes made her pay with another counter shot that dropped her. The "Lioness" again motioned for her opponent to stand up. Nunes stunned and then dropped Pena with a straight left. Unofficial scorecard: 10-8 Nunes (29-27 overall for Nunes)

[Jul 31, 2022 at 12:18 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes -- Round 1: A touch of the gloves gets us started. Pena landed a right hand after a feeling out period. An uppercut landed for Nunes and Pena responded with a combination.  A hard calf kick found its mark for Nunes followed by another uppercut. A counter right hook droped Pena stepping in. Another counter right stumbled the champion. Pena committed and found the mark for her punch. Another land for Pena but not much sting. Pena stuck a nasty jab on Nunes twice stepping in. A right hand for Pena and Nunes responds, backing the champion up. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nunes

[Jul 31, 2022 at 12:10 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

All that is left now is the main event: Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2 for the UFC women's bantamweight championship.