Nunes Being Cautious, Will Not Fight On May 9

Not everything will go according to plan for the UFC if Amanda Nunes has anything to say about it.

The UFC’s Bantamweight and Featherweight Champion will not be facing off against Felicia Spencer in May. With the UFC holding the May 9 event in an undisclosed location and gyms closed due to the coronavirus, Nunes (19-4) believes she needs more time to prepare.

“I don’t think this is the right time for me right now to fight,” Nunes stated to CBS Sports’ Brian Campbell. “Let this coronavirus pass a little bit so I can at least have a full camp. We can maybe see around June, [but] let’s see what is going to happen. But I’m not fighting [May 9].”

Originally set to face Spencer (8-1) in Brazil for UFC 250, the coronavirus has affected a number of events for the promotion and Nunes. Just recently they had to postpone UFC 249 in California. Nunes is able to train inside the gym at American Top Team in Florida. Using social distancing guidelines, “The Lioness” can do what she needs to be in shape, but not fully prepare for fights.

Despite the fact she is out of her fight, Nunes is still interested in an upcoming bout with Spencer.

“I like this matchup a lot,” Nunes went on to say. “I like to fight girls like her — tough, want to fight all the time, she’s not a running fighter. She’s really going to bring that and I love it. That brings out the best in me.”

Nunes is on a ten-fight win streak dating back to 2014. She beat Miesha Tate for the UFC Bantamweight Title at UFC 200. Since then she has taken down Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko (for the second time), Raquel Pennington, Cris Cyborg and Holly Holm. Her last fight was a unanimous decision win over Germaine de Randamie at UFC 245.