UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes is planning her return to the Octagon, but it seems her first fight won't come until later this year. Speaking to Combate, the double champion revealed she wants to fight in November or December, as she's currently in Brazil "taking care of family things."
It will be tough. I'm thinking about fighting in the end of the year, around November or December. I'm in Brazil now, taking care of family things, wouldn't have time to get prepared for May."
There's been lots of uncertainty and questions regarding Nunes' future in the sport after defeating longtime featherweight champion Cris Cyborg in dominant fashion last December. Earlier this month, she
brought up the possibility of retirement, though it seems she's still got a few more fights in mind.
Nunes reiterated her desire to fight former champion Holly Holm, who defeated Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 for the bantamweight title.
"I want to defend my [bantamweight] belt first, because when I moved up, I left the division stalled. I think it makes sense that the next fight is against Holly Holm, the only ex-champion I haven't faced. After, I think it would be cool to rematch Cyborg. And then I'll stop.
"I don't know how many fights I have left; after the next one we'll renegotiate. I think I have to do two more and retire. And if I have the itch to come back, I will."
Holly Holm (12-4) has been up and down in the UFC over the past three years. After handing Rousey her first loss and claiming the bantamweight title, she immediately lost it to Miesha Tate a few months later. Since then, she's compiled a 2-3 record. She lost to Cris Cyborg in December 2017 at UFC 219, but followed that up with a win over Megan Anderson at UFC 225 in June 2018. Holm was supposed to fight Aspen Ladd at UFC 235 next month, but was pulled from the card.
Amanda Nunes (17-4), hasn't fought since her dominant first-round knockout against Cris Cyborg in December 2018.