If things go as planned for new UFC female bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, her first title defense will come against Ronda Rousey.
But if not, Nunes has backup plans already in place.
“That’s the fight that makes sense because Ronda was one of the best fighters of all times, and I’m the champion,” Nunes told MMA Fighting. “I also made history for my country, and this is a fight that makes sense for that huge event, one of the biggest pay-per-views in the UFC. 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.
“Julianna is on a winning streak now. If Ronda doesn’t come back, it’s going to be Julianna, for sure. But I believe (Rousey) will come back.”
Nuunes won the belt with a submission victory over Miesha Tate in the main event of UFC 200 last month. On the same card, Pena, a former Ultimate Fighter winner, defeated Cat Zingano.
As for the timing of either fight, the Brazilian is targeting a spot on the November pay-per-view card in New York City and Madison Square Garden.
