LAS VEGAS – Germaine de Randamie’s margin of error is thin, according to women’s double champ Amanda Nunes.
At UFC 245 on Saturday, Nunes (18-4 MMA, 11-1 UFC) will seek her fifth successful bantamweight title defense against the Netherlands’ de Randamie (9-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC).
The two fighters competed against one another at UFC Fight Night 31 in November 2013. The first outing saw Nunes ground-and-pound her way to a first-round TKO stoppage.
Like their first meeting, de Randamie carries a decorated striking background into UFC 245. Nunes plans on capitalizing and scoring another TKO if de Randamie slips up.
“Everybody knows I’m going to look for the takedowns. We all know that,” Nunes told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “But if she makes a mistake, I will knock her out. I’m ready to do whatever this fight takes (from) me, but I will walk away with my belt.”
Even though they fought once before, Nunes indicated the knowledge gained from that experience can only help her so much. Nunes said she believes both she and de Randamie are two different fighters than they were six years ago.
“I think it’s going to be difficult for sure,” Nunes said of the matchup. “This makes the sport interesting. People evolve. All of the athletes evolve a lot. I’m ready. I’m ready if she shows something different. I’ll capitalize and finish the fight.”
While confident in her abilities, Nunes recognizes the challenge de Randamie presents. Yes, Nunes has beaten the Dutch fighter already. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t viewing her UFC 245 title defense as the fight of her life.
“I don’t sleep on her,” Nunes said. “This is the fight of my life. I’m going to step in there and I know she’s going to be 100 percent. I know she’s going to bring it and I’m ready.”
UFC 245 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
