Amanda Nunes is the new UFC women's bantamweight champion after UFC 200, and that means just one thing...she's going to be Ronda Rousey's opponent if she decides to come back anytime soon. Does that mean Nunes vs. Rousey is a lock, though? Well, not exactly.
According to CombatPress.com's Rob Tatum, UFC President Dana White spoke to Fox Sports 1 and said the UFC remains committed to giving Rousey an immediate title shot upon her return, but there remains no timetable on her comeback.
Dana White noncommittal on Ronda Rousey's return, but states she'll fight whoever the champion is when she does come back. #UFC200
— Rob Tatum (@RobTatumMMA) July 10, 2016
The women's bantamweight title picture has become an absolute mess in recent months.
Holly Holm famously beat Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in November, but she ceded the title to Tate at UFC 196 who, in turn, handed it over to Nunes at UFC 200.
Both Tate and Nunes have a number of losses on their record as well, meaning that nearly the every top-10 bantamweight currently has a legitimate claim to a shot at Nunes' crown. Add to that Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino potentially becoming a full-time member of the UFC roster, and it's tough to guess what may come next.
Despite that logjam, the UFC is still clearly prioritizing Rousey, and wants to guarantee her return, if it happens, is as lucrative as possible.
Nunes, for her part, seemed unconcerned about Rousey's schedule. "It's like you said, I'm the champion. Whatever Dana White puts in front of me, I'm going to take it," she said at the UFC 200 post-fight press conference (warning, NSFW language). "I'm the champion, I'm going to enjoy being champion and go back to the gym, and get ready for the next."
While the immediate talk was of Nunes vs. Rousey, however, The Ultimate Fighter season 18 winner Julianna Pena made sure to add in her two cents. And her two cents say that she is the next in line.
"I've beaten everyone that they've put in front of me in the UFC Octagon and on The Ultimate Fighter...I'm 7-0 and I don't know what else I have to do. I just beat the girl who beat both the champion and the champion's opponent," she said at the post-fight presser, referring to her UFC 200 opponent Cat Zingano. "With all due respect for Amanda...I'm ready to fight for the title and I'm ready to go and get what's mine."
