ATLANTA – Amanda Nunes plans on alternating defenses of her two UFC title starting with her next matchup against Holly Holm at UFC 239.
Nunes (17-4 MMA, 10-1 UFC), the women’s bantamweight and featherweight titleholder, will put her 135-pound belt up for grabs against Holm (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) at the July 6 event, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass.
There’s been concern about the long-term health of the 145 pound weight class since its inception in the UFC, but Nunes confirmed she intends on competing there next, meaning there will be at least one title bout.
“For sure (I plan to) defend both,” Nunes told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at a UFC seasonal press conference during UFC 236 fight week in Atlanta. “I will defend my belt at 135 then go up and defend my belt after at 145.”
Going into the UFC 239 matchup with Holm, Brazil’s Nunes already has a legendary legacy solidified in the sport. She’s the only female to win belts in multiple weight classes and has a hit list that includes former or current UFC champs Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Germaine de Randamie and Valentina Shevchenko.
The only fighter to hold a belt in one of the weight classes in which Nunes has competed is Holm. Adding the former boxing champion to the hit list would further solidify Nunes’ place in history, and she’s well aware of what’s on the line.
“Keep making history,” Nunes said. “Holly’s the only champion, the former champion, that I don’t beat yet. She’s going to be the next.”
Nunes said she doesn’t know exactly who would challenge her at featherweight after UFC 239. A rematch with Cyborg (21-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who she dethroned in epic fashion at UFC 232 in December, seems logical. However, Nunes isn’t locking herself in to any scenario.
“Honestly, I think about Holly now then we’ll see next,” Nunes said. “A (Cris) Cyborg rematch? Why not? We’ll see what’s next.”
For more on UFC 239, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
