UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes goal of becoming the first female fighter in company history to win titles in multiple weight classes remains. Whether she plans to act on that goal, however, apparently depends upon who is holding the 145-pound title. <\/p>\n
Nunes, 28, has stated her preference is to face UFC womens featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie (7-3), who defeated Holly Holm for the inaugural title in a disputed decision at UFC 208 in February. <\/p>\n
It was Nunes (14-4), of course, who finished de Randamie by first-round TKO in their 2013 bantamweight bout. But asked by a group of media members on Tuesday while vacationing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, whether she would be just as willing to challenge for the belt if fellow Brailizan Cris Cyborg Justino was wearing it, Nunes switched gears. <\/p>\n
Cris is a huge for 145; Im little for 135, Nunes said in an interview captured by MMAFighting.com. In order to fight Cris Cyborg, I would have to train at a specific weight to get more muscles and be stronger. This takes time to do. <\/p>\n
The champion right now is Germaine de Randamie. I have fought Germaine before and she is for my weight class. Thats why I want to go up because I have beat her before and know I can beat her. <\/p>\n
Justino (17-1), the current Invicta FC featherweight champion, made her long-awited UFC debut last May, winning a pair of bouts against Leslie Smith and Lina Lansberg at catchweights of 140 pounds. But the former Strikeforce champion turned down multiple UFC offers to fight for the inaugural 145-pound title, claiming she needed more time to train and cut weight. <\/p>\n
This is the thing -- I want to see Cris Cyborg as [UFC] champion, Nunes said. She is deserving. She is a warrior like me and [the featherweight] division is open for her. She has taken days off, and I know she is going to come back. If she is taking a long time [to return], I want to go up and fight Germaine. But if Cris comes back, I really want to see Cris as champion. <\/p>\n
Nunes captured the bantamweight title by knocking out Miesha Tate at UFC 200 in July before coming back with an emphatic 48-second dismantling of a returning Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 in December. But shes likely to have her hands full within her own division in the near future thanks to Valentina Shevchenko, who is fresh off a pair of impressive wins against Holly Holm and Julianna Pena. <\/p>\n
Shevchenko (14-2), 28, lost a three-round decision to Nunes last March at UFC 196. But the native of Russian appeared to figure things out in the final round and rallied late to give Nunes all she could handle. <\/p>\n
Last month, the typically all-business Shevchenko shared with TMZ Sports her opinion that Nunes is looking for any reason to avoid a rematch. Nunes rejected the notion, saying she has plans to sit down with the UFC and discuss her next step upon her return to the United States. <\/p>\n
Im on vacation right now and Im never going to stop enjoying this moment to come back and fight because Valentina wants, Nunes said. Its not like that. <\/p>\n
I love this rematch. I love to see Valentina like that because she never was like that, to talk a lot. Im excited to be back in training and see what is next. I will fight her. If she is next, I dont have any problem. <\/p>\n
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Amanda Nunes' plans for second UFC title reign don't include Cris ... - CBSSports.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes goal of becoming the first female fighter in company history to win titles in multiple weight classes remains. Whether she plans to act on that goal, however, apparently depends upon who is holding the 145-pound title Continue reading