Dana White is bending over backwards and doing everything he can to put together a fight card for the 9th of May. However, his well-laid plans have suffered yet another blow, this time from top-ranked women’s pound for pound fighter Amanda Nunes. 

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Amanda Nunes says she will not fight on May 9

Nunes revealed the news of her non-participation to Brian Campbell of CBS Sports.

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“Actually, I’m not fighting May 9. I’m going to fight,  I don’t know yet. I don’t think this is the right time for me right now to fight. Let this coronavirus pass a little bit so I can at least have a full camp. We can maybe see around June, [but] let’s see what is going to happen. But I’m not fighting.” 

Nunes vs Spencer was set to co-headline UFC 250 at Sao Paulo. However, the event was left without a venue. This is because it was converted into a temporary hospital for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic. Later, the fight was rumored to feature on the card on May 9 along with the UFC Lightweight match between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. But it will not be the case.

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The ‘Feenom’ told ESPN that UFC instructed her to be ready for June. She said she plans on doing that and will not remain on the May 9 card to await a new opponent. 

‘The Lioness’ cites the lack of top-level training as one of the reasons for wanting a June fight. She says she is keeping in shape with gym visits, one-on-one training with her coach, weights and treadmill exercises. But she emphasizes that she needs time to prepare and requires a full training camp. 

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Her apprehension is understandable, as she will be putting a 5-year undefeated streak on the line. The Spencer fight will be her first Featherweight Title defense. ‘The Lioness’ claimed the title at UFC 232 after a first-round KO win over Cris Cyborg. 

What is your take on ‘The Lioness’ withdrawal from the next UFC event?

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Reubyn Coutinho

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Reubyn Coutinho is the Head of Fact-Checking Initiatives and Content Quality Lead at EssentiallySports, where he oversees editorial quality across multiple sports verticals. A Communication graduate, he’s spent over five years shaping the site’s evolution from a niche sports blog into an all-in-one news platform, mentoring more than 110 journalists, introducing data-driven article improvements, and developing editorial guidelines for global audiences. Across his career at ES, Reubyn has worked as a writer, editor, and senior editor, covering everything from UFC, WWE, and boxing to F1, NFL, NBA, and tennis. His bylines include exclusive interviews with former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson and Miesha Tate, as well as combat sports stars Marcus Almeida and Sage Northcutt. Known for his meticulous eye, he regularly resolves headline debates, revisits trending pieces using live analytics, and sets the standard for high-quality sports reporting. Outside of sports media, Reubyn is an active film critic, contributing reviews and festival coverage to Netflix Junkie, where he’s covered events such as MAMI, Venice, and NYAFF. Whether he’s breaking down a championship fight or a Hitchcock classic, his work comes with deep research with a pure love for sport.

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