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INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 29: Amanda Nunes of Brazil celebrates her KO victory over Cris Cyborg of Brazil in their women’s featherweight bout during the UFC 232 event inside The Forum on December 29, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 29: Amanda Nunes of Brazil celebrates her KO victory over Cris Cyborg of Brazil in their women’s featherweight bout during the UFC 232 event inside The Forum on December 29, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Amanda Nunes defended her women’s featherweight title against Megan Anderson in dominating fashion in the co-main event of UFC 259. After Nunes’s performance, the media asked UFC President Dana White about the future of the women’s featherweight division of the UFC.
There were reports suggesting that the promotion might look to discard the division altogether, as there is a severe lack of competition and actual featherweight contenders on the roster. Anderson was one of the few big enough to fight at that division. Hence, after her demolition by ‘The Lioness’, the question loomed large of what’s next.
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But. it seems like the UFC is not yet looking to dismiss the 145lbs division. They will keep a hold of it till ‘Leoa’ wishes to defend her throne. After all, she is the undisputed queen of the higher-weight classes of women.
Regarding the reports out there about the UFC cutting its women’s featherweight division, UFC officials say it’s not true and what UFC president Dana White said Saturday about the future of the division still stands.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) March 10, 2021
White said after UFC 259 that the UFC will “keep that division cranking” as long as Amanda Nunes wants to continue defending the women’s featherweight title.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) March 10, 2021
Per Marc Raimondi, the UFC will “keep that division cranking.” Although for now, Nunes will look to make a quick turnaround to defend her bantamweight title for the first time since 2019.
Julianna Pena was supposed to fight Holly Holm soon. But, ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’, a former champion of the division, had to withdraw from the bout. Hence, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ wants the UFC to book a fight between her and Nunes next.
Given Pena’s desire to fight ‘The Lioness’ and the lack of contenders at 145, Pena could even consider making the journey to featherweight to secure the fight if she doesn’t get it at 135.
Should Amanda Nunes keep defending her featherweight belt?
It’s true that the lack of true featherweights in the women’s roster of the UFC is getting prominent day by day. Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson are suitable 145-pounders. But, Nunes has dominated both in her last 2 outings in the division.
Also, Anderson has parted ways with the UFC after her defeat at UFC 259. So, it’s tough to find another opponent unless someone new rises to the scene.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: (R-L) Amanda Nunes of Brazil punches Megan Anderson of Australia in their UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
But, perhaps there’s a lack of challengers for Nunes in the UFC altogether. It would take something miraculous to get her beaten, especially under current circumstances.
Should more bantamweights move up? Or should Dana White and the UFC carry on with the women’s featherweight division by signing fresh talent? Let us know your thoughts.
