NEWARK, N.J. – UFC dual champion Amanda Nunes vows to continue defending her women’s featherweight title.
Nunes (22-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) hasn’t defended the 145-pound title since a first-round submission of Megan Anderson in March 2021. She later lost the bantamweight title to Julianna Peña at UFC 269, then avenged her loss to Peña to reclaim the belt at UFC 277.
With their series tied 1-1, Nunes was set to face Peña once more in a rubber match in the UFC 289 headliner June 10, but Peña withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Irene Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC). So where does that leave the featherweight division? Nunes says that’s still in her plans.
“Definitely,” Nunes said at a pre-fight news conference for UFC 289. “I take everything step by step. My next opponent is obviously right here next to me, so I’ve got to be focused on her and everything, but definitely (I will defend the featherweight title). I’m a double champion for a reason, baby. I’m going to keep defending these two belts (until) my body tells me to stop. I feel healthy, I feel good, I feel happy.”
Norma Dumont (9-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) recently expressed her frustration at Nunes’ inactivity as featherweight champion. Dumont has been booked against Chelsea Chandler (5-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a featherweight bout at a UFC event July 15 in what could be a No. 1 contender bout.
Nunes didn’t guarantee defending her featherweight belt is next after Aldana, but “The Lioness” said she’ll do whatever the UFC decides for her.
“Whatever the UFC wants to do,” Nunes said. “I feel like we might have a 145-pound opponent soon, and let’s see how it’s going to play out. Whatever happens, the UFC decides. It’s not my final decision, but I’m going to be there. Whoever is going to step in front of me, I’m going to be there. Whatever, who else, I’m going to be defending my belt.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.
