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Amanda Nunes not down for UFC interim belt: 'They just have to wait'
TL;DR
Amanda Nunes refuses to fight for an interim UFC belt, insisting she will only compete for the undisputed title against Kayla Harrison. Nunes is waiting for Harrison to recover from neck surgery before their anticipated matchup.
Key points
- Amanda Nunes wants to fight Kayla Harrison for the undisputed title
- Nunes is not interested in an interim belt
- Harrison's neck surgery has delayed their fight
- Nunes hopes to fight Harrison at UFC 329 on July 11
Amanda NunesKayla HarrisonUFC 324UFC 329
MIAMI – Amanda Nunes wants one thing only – Kayla Harrison and her undisputed UFC women's bantamweight title. Nothing else will do.
Nunes, considered the greatest women's MMA fighter of all time, has zero interest in fighting for an interim belt, as she waits for Harrison to recover from her neck surgery. Nunes and Harrison were supposed to fight in a massive fight for women's MMA at UFC 324 in January, but a neck injury sustained by Harrison delayed those plans. Harrison ended up having surgery, and fans have since been waiting for a rebooking. Some fighters have called for the implementation of an interim belt and, moreover, a fight with Nunes, but the former two-division UFC champ wants none of that.
"I know everybody want a chance, you know what I mean?" Nunes told MMA Junkie. "I know everybody want to fight me, and I know everybody want to get a paycheck. I know that. But, it's like if you put it on the table, it's not how it is, though. I only fight for the (undisputed) belt, and I cannot make what they want, you know? I feel like I'm going to have an opportunity for all of them, so they just have to wait like I did. I waited so much to fight for the belt. One day, I did it, so then I have an opportunity for everybody, and I think they should wait. I'm gonna fight Kayla and take my belt back."
It's unclear what the exact timeline is for Harrison's return. Nunes hopes she can fight Harrison at UFC 329 on July 11, which serves as this year's event for UFC International Fight Week.
"I feel like International Fight Week would be a good one," Nunes said. "I feel like UFC wanted that, too. So I hope Kayla is ready for it. And I can't wait. Just, you know, honestly, like, I can't wait for the call. Yeah, I hope she's ready, though, because I am. And let's see what is going to happen. So I'm ready for her. Everything depends on Kayla Harrison."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Amanda Nunes not down for UFC interim belt: 'They just have to wait'
Q&A
Why is Amanda Nunes not interested in an interim UFC belt?
Amanda Nunes is focused solely on fighting for the undisputed UFC women's bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison, rather than competing for an interim belt.
When is Kayla Harrison expected to return to the octagon?
The exact timeline for Kayla Harrison's return is unclear, but Amanda Nunes hopes to fight her at UFC 329 on July 11.
What injury did Kayla Harrison sustain that delayed her fight with Amanda Nunes?
Kayla Harrison sustained a neck injury that required surgery, delaying her scheduled fight with Amanda Nunes.
