Following KO win over Holm, White interested in booking Nunes vs. Cyborg II
“Nunes wants the rematch with Cyborg next. We’ll see if Cyborg is up for that and if she wants to do that.”
Amanda Nunes cemented her status as one of, if not the, greatest female fighters of all time last night, finishing Holly Holm with a head kick and follow-up punches to defend her bantamweight title in the UFC 239 co-main event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
The question is, who’s next for the two-division champion?
Well, according to UFC president Dana White, ‘The Lioness’ could move back up to 145 lbs. to defend her featherweight title against Cris Cyborg.
Nunes formerly beat Cyborg — real name Cristiane Justino — at UFC 232 to win the women’s featherweight strap.
Here’s what White had to say about Nunes’ performance on Saturday night and what might be next for the bantamweight and featherweight queen.
“I thought Amanda looked incredible,” White said to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto backstage at T-Mobile Arena (transcript via BJPenn.com’s Adam D Martin). “When I talk about her being the greatest ever, it’s about not only who you fought and who you beat, but how you beat them. If you look at all the greats, she’s fought all the greats now. Holly was the last one. If you look at how she performed against Holly, you can’t deny it now. If you were ever in denial, it’s over. (She’s the best female fighter) ever.”
Video: Looking back at UFC 239 with Dana White (@danawhite), who said anyone who scored that main event for Thiago Santos should never judge a fight again. Which ... was a little awkward since ... ummm ... I scored it for Santos. https://t.co/fOUjDrf7qu
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 7, 2019
“The numbers tonight were off the charts and she was part of that,” White continued. “It was a great card and a card that a lot of people were excited about. She’s the co-main event. I tell you guys this all the time. I don’t listen to this stupidness about anyone who says she isn’t a star. They don’t have any idea what they’re talking about. I don’t listen to that stuff.
“Nunes wants the rematch with Cyborg next. We’ll see if Cyborg is up for that and if she wants to do that. If not, there will be somebody else, there’s always somebody else.”
Nunes, who now holds wins over Holm, Cyborg, Ronda Rousey and Valentina Shevchenko, will likely crack the top-five pound-for-pound rankings after the UFC updates its official website.