UFC 207: Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey

Amanda Nunes: 'I'm the Real Champion in This Division'

Amanda Nunes: 'I'm the Real Champion in This Division'

Amanda Nunes understands the task ahead at UFC 207, but she's ready to dominate Ronda Rousey all the same.

Dec 23, 2016 by Jim Edwards
FloCombat Morning Update UFC 207 Edition
We’re just one week away from Dec. 30's UFC 207 event, where UFC bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes looks to defend her title for the first time in Las Vegas against Ronda Rousey.

While Rousey remains content blacking out the media, the champion is more than happy to talk about the biggest fight of her career. Some had feared the bout could be called off after Nunes was reported sick earlier this week, but speaking yesterday, the Brazilian said it was common for her when she traveled.

“I’m ready to go—I’m like a lion,” Nunes told The Buzzer. “Always when I travel I get a little sinus infection, but everything is good now, and I’m ready to go.”

Much of the buildup talk has centered around the lack of attention Nunes has been given in the pre-fight promotional videos. When asked her feelings about it, Nunes agreed that she could’ve been given more of the limelight as highlighted previously by Joe Rogan on Twitter.

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“Yeah, I retweeted [Joe Rogan] because he’s a body in the UFC and it was a big comment,” Nunes said. “I think everybody sees it, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I don’t bother about it either. At the end of the day I’m the champion and I will take the belt with me—that’s the only thing that matters.

“I think I saw this one a little bit [the Rousey three-minute promo video]. Honestly, I always see this kind of video with Ronda Rousey. UFC promotes Ronda Rousey all the time. I always see this and that’s fine. They promoted Miesha Tate too and see what happened." 

Nunes then assured everyone this marketing will have no effect on the fight whatsoever.

“I’m ready to go, and I’ve trained very hard and smart for this fight," Nunes said. "I’m not angry or anything like that. I’m just going to step in the cage and do my job—that’s it.”

Asked which version of Rousey she thinks will turn up on the night, Nunes said that she was making sure she was ready for the best version of the former champ and nothing less.

“I’m preparing for the best Ronda for this fight,” Nunes said. “The best Ronda Rousey. She’s a great athlete. She’s strong and every fighter that fights Ronda Rousey has to be ready, and I am, and I’m going to prove it to everybody.

“I’m the real champion in this division.”

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Nunes was then asked whether this was the biggest moment of the career. The champ confirmed it was, but said she was well prepared for the occasion and that it wasn’t going to intimidate her.

“It’s getting real—it’s pretty normal for me though,” Nunes said. “I’m used to having these types of moments in my life right now. UFC 200 was huge, but everything changed the week of the fight. Everything was huge, but for this one I think everything is going to be easy again until the day.

“My training has gone very well and my diet is awesome. I’m training very smart in this camp—judo defense, trip defense—and my striking is high-level. My jiu-jitsu I’m always improving. I’m a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but I’m always learning new things.

“I’m ready to go," she added. "I’m ready for anything Ronda is going to bring on the night, and I’ve been training judo. I compete in judo too. When you compete and train in judo, it’s easier to train for these girls. She is a stronger and tougher opponent though, and I know I have to be ready.”