Reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship women's bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes wants a big-money bout for her first title defense. The newly crowned champion declared that she is ready to face former champion Ronda Rousey anytime soon.
Nunes shocked the world during the biggest UFC fight card this year, when she pulled off a submission win over former champion Miesha Tate at UFC 200 last month. The 28-year-old is planning to defend her title in November at Madison Square Garden in New York. And she thinks there is no better opponent than Rousey.
The Brazilian champion said that a fight against Rousey is her top priority because she knows "Rowdy" is one of the best fighters of all time. Nunes believes she deserves a shot at Rousey now that she is a champion and has made history for her country last month.
"This is a fight that makes sense for that huge event, one of the biggest pay-per-views in the UFC," Nunes told MMA Fighting, referring to a showdown with Rousey. "I will take my country with me, and she will be fighting in her country. I want this fight in New York. It will be historic."
It remains to be seen, though, whether or not Rousey is planning to return to the Octagon this year. The former world champion has not fought since absorbing a second-round knockout loss to Holly Holm in November last year.
Recent UFC rumors suggested that Rousey is not coming back anytime soon because she is pregnant with Travis Browne's baby. However, UFC president Dana White has already clarified that the pregnancy rumors are false.
White told TMZ that he has already reached out to Rousey to get her side on the pregnancy talks. The longtime UFC president reiterated that Rousey vehemently denied that she is expecting her first baby with Browne. It is still up in the air, though, when she is planning to return to action and avenge her devastating defeat last year.
If Rousey remains unavailable for a November showdown, Nunes said that she will likely face Julianna Pena. Pena put herself in a good spot after scoring a unanimous decision win over Cat Zingano at UFC 200, which was her fourth straight win inside the Octagon.
Watch Nunez's interview following her victory over Tate in the video below.