Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey Looms, but a New Challenger Approaches
Amanda Nunes is the new UFC women's bantamweight champion after UFC 200, and that means just one thing...she's going to be Ronda Rousey's opponent if she decides to come back anytime soon. Does that mean Nunes vs. Rousey is a lock, though? Well, not exactly.
According to CombatPress.com's Rob Tatum, UFC President Dana White spoke to Fox Sports 1 and said the UFC remains committed to giving Rousey an immediate title shot upon her return, but there remains no timetable on her comeback.
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The women's bantamweight title picture has become an absolute mess in recent months.
Holly Holm famously beat Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in November, but she ceded the title to Tate at UFC 196 who, in turn, handed it over to Nunes at UFC 200.
Both Tate and Nunes have a number of losses on their record as well, meaning that nearly every top-10 bantamweight currently has a legitimate claim to a shot at Nunes' crown. Add to that Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino potentially becoming a full-time member of the UFC roster, and it's tough to guess what may come next.
Despite that logjam, the UFC is still clearly prioritizing Rousey, and wants to guarantee her return, if it happens, is as lucrative as possible.
Nunes, for her part, seemed unconcerned about Rousey's schedule. "It's like you said, I'm the champion. Whatever Dana White puts in front of me, I'm going to take it," she said at the UFC 200 post-fight press conference (warning, NSFW language). "I'm the champion, I'm going to enjoy being champion and go back to the gym, and get ready for the next."
While the immediate talk was of Nunes vs. Rousey, however, The Ultimate Fighter season 18 winner Julianna Pena made sure to add in her two cents. And her two cents say that she is the next in line.
"I've beaten everyone that they've put in front of me in the UFC Octagon and on The Ultimate Fighter...I'm 7-0 and I don't know what else I have to do. I just beat the girl who beat both the champion and the champion's opponent," she said at the post-fight presser, referring to her UFC 200 opponent Cat Zingano. "With all due respect for Amanda...I'm ready to fight for the title and I'm ready to go and get what's mine."
Pena most certainly has a strong claim to a title shot. Her official UFC record stands a 4-0 and before that, she stormed her way through three opponents on The Ultimate Fighter. While there were questions about whether or not her skills would translate against elite competition, her UFC 200 win over Zingano pushes her to the front of the line.
That said, Nunes vs. Pena is no sure thing. Holm, scheduled to fight at UFC on Fox 20 later this month, could get back into contention with a win over Valentina Shevchenko. Fellow contenders Germaine de Randamie and Raquel Pennington could also get into the hunt with one more big win. And of course, Rousey could return and cut the entire line at any point.
While there is a lack of clarity at this time for fighters, fans have an interesting road ahead that should have a few good fights. This is worth keeping an eye on.
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