UFC 269 features a co-main event that sees Amanda Nunes look to defend her bantamweight championship against Julianna Pena. The fight seems on paper like one that the champion should win easily and look good in. That's what the narrative is going into this one. There is a lot of heat between both women and a surprising amount of trash talk for an Amanda Nunes fight. UFC 269 has the right co-main event to boost an already stacked pay-per-view card.

Amanda Nunes has been a dominant force in the UFC and has been widely regarded as the greatest women's fighter of all time. Currently, she holds belts in two different weight classes with the bantamweight and featherweight titles. She has not lost since 2014 and comes into UFC 269 well in her prime and capable of beating anyone. She hasn't defended the 135 title in two years with the last defense coming in 2019 against Germaine de Randamie.

Julianna Pena comes into UFC 269 on a bit of an odd run. She has fought only three times since 2017 and is 2-1 in her past three fights. Her wins include former flyweight champion Nicco Montano and legendary wrestler, Sara McMann. The Venezuelan Vixen brings an excellent ground game along with a grinding style that relies on the clinch and tiring her opponents out.

Here is how FanDuel has the odds.

UFC 269 odds: Amanda Nunes vs Julianna Pena odds

Amanda Nunes (-1000)

Julianna Pena (+660)

Over 1.5 rounds (-142)

Under 1.5 rounds (+112)

How Amanda Nunes wins the fight at UFC 269

Amanda Nunes is a huge favorite at UFC 269. It's for good reason too. It's not just about Julianna Pena, it's just that The Lioness is that good. Early cardio problems in her career led to some key losses but that's now a thing of the past. Amanda Nunes has shown she can win fights any way she wants to. Where the fight takes place will be the key to figuring out how it ends. Nunes most likely get the finish against a game but overmatched Pena. The fight could certainly end in a knockout should Pena be content to stand and trade. That's not her game though. A patient Nunes will be looking for any opening she can. The most likely opportunity will be a submission with Pena willing to take the fight to the ground and showing big holes in her submission defense, or getting stuck on the bottom and pounded out. Nunes most likely picks up a TKO or submission early on.

How Julianna Pena wins the fight at UFC 269

This is an incredibly tricky one to predict. The odds are as crazy as they are for good reason. A fight is still a fight and there is always the possibility of an upset. Julianna Pena will find herself outmatched if the fight stays on the feet. The most likely way for her to get the win is to make things ugly. The method to victory isn't an entertaining one. She has to either grind Nunes against the fence or impose her strong wrestling game. There's always the possibility of a flash KO or submission but that is very unlikely. Pena will need to use her size and strength to grind out Nunes and hope to finish a stuck, tired champion or grind it out for five rounds to earn a decision. The most likely scenario for her to win is by grinding Nunes out and earning a close decision.

Amanda Nunes-Julianna Pena prediction & pick

Amanda Nunes is obviously the best women's MMA fighter in the world. UFC 269 will most likely be another showcase of her greatness and add to her storied legacy. Sure, MMA is a weird sport and something strange can always happen. That won't be the case at UFC 269. Nunes just has too many ways to win the fight and is the better fighter. The most likely scenario is that the fight gets taken to the ground early on and the champion finds either a TKO or a slick submission.

Final Amanda Nunes-Julianna Pena UFC 269 pick:

Nunes by submission in the first round.