
via Imago
Credits: Imago

via Imago
Credits: Imago
Following the retirement of Amanda Nunes at UFC 289, the future of UFC’s women’s Featherweight division seems to be in shambles. While the division has never been dense, the departure of Nunes makes it shallower than ever. At this point, it is the only division in the promotion without an official ranking.
Even president Dana White hinted towards a possible closure. And considering the tiny talent share it has in the current roster, it does not seem like a bad idea. Amidst all the uncertainty surrounding the division, many athletes are already switching their divisions. Current no.12 in UFC’s bantamweight, Norma Dumont is one of them.
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Norma Dumont on switching the division
In her recent interview with MMAFighting, Norma Dumont opened up on her future at featherweight after moving to bantamweight. Thus, making her recent win over Chelsea Chandler at UFC Vegas 77, her last fight in the division. According to her, this decision came after the promotion informed her about the possible shutdown sometime in September. In her own words:
Norma Dumont moving to bantamweight after UFC, indicates end of featherweight division
Full story by @guicruzzz 📰 https://t.co/4f4XdYcaxW pic.twitter.com/jJD0GpK6sS
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 21, 2023
“I didn’t see where to go and I was a bit tired and frustrated to do tough fights, to fight and beat bigger and heavier women, but move in no direction. That’s very upsetting. I had talked to the UFC already about it.”
With a total of 5 wins, Norma Dumont holds the record for the highest number of wins in the history of the women’s featherweight division of UFC. While she never fought for the title, the athlete racked up wins against some big names, including Felicia Spencer and Aspen Ladd. If the Brazilian is to be believed, she does not see any interesting fights at the division.
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It is noteworthy that she isn’t the only one person to have taken this route. Holly Holm, who fought in the first-ever championship bout of the division, hasn’t competed at featherweight since her 2018 clash with Megan Anderson. Zara Farin, one of the few full-time female featherweights, too, is cutting weight to move down to the 135 lb division.
Last to come and first to go
For those unaware, UFC’s featherweight division was introduced in the year 2017. At the time of its inauguration, the division had some big names, including Holly Holm, Cris Cyborg, and Germaine de Randamie. However, things took an interesting turn after Amanda Nunes defeated Cyborg for the divisional gold at UFC 232. After this bout, Cyborg would quit the promotion, and Nunes would establish an unshakable grip on the featherweight title.
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While there were some big bouts after this super fight, none could generate the momentum needed for the division. At least, not enough for the division to have an official ranking of its own, in the entirety of its existence. Constant exits of fighters like Felicia Spencer, Aspen Ladd, and Megan Anderson don’t help either. The days of the women’s featherweight division seem all but over.
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