Navarrete came out for the 9th as if he was done with letting Nuñez believe he belongs in the fight. The three-division titlist slammed home a right hand and also landed a flush left hook. Nuñez froze as Navarrete continued with his attack. The worst seemed to pass as Nuñez clinched when necessary but wasn't able to come on until the final 25 seconds of the round. Navarrete pushed past the attack and cracked Nuñez with a right hand down the middle, setting up a round-ending flurry.