UFC champ Amanda Nunes '200 percent' confident she'll beat Ronda Rousey at UFC 207

Amanda Nunes has no doubt she’s going to spoil Ronda Rousey’s return at UFC 207.

Nunes (13-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC), the UFC women’s bantamweight champion, will have the opportunity to add a career-defining win to her resume when she welcomes Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) back to the octagon in December. She recently told TMZ she’s aware the impact the fight will have on her career, and has no doubt the result will come out in her favor.

“I’m 100 percent going to beat Ronda Rousey — I’m 200 percent,” Nunes said. “I understand everything Ronda Rousey is going to bring that day. … I don’t think she’s going to be able to deal with my striking. She’s gonna be really surprised when I touch her, when I connect on my punches.”

UFC 207 takes place Dec. 30 (a Friday) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Nunes, No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s bantamweight rankings, captured UFC gold earlier this year when she submitted Miesha Tate in the first round of the UFC 200 main event. The Brazilian was the underdog in the bout, but managed to handily dismantle Tate en route to the quick finish.

Amanda Nunes

She intends to do the same to No. 2-ranked Rousey, who will be competing for the first time in more than 13 months. “Rowdy” last appeared in the octagon at UFC 193 in November, when she suffered an unforgettable head-kick knockout loss to Holly Holm. She’s been largely out of the spotlight since, but will come back for the chance to regain the UFC belt when she challenges Nunes.

Although other contenders exist at 135 pounds, there was little doubt Rousey was going to receive a title shot upon her return to fighting. Nunes had no objections to that, and praised Rousey as the most worthy foe.

“I think it’s wrong (to say she doesn’t deserve it) because she was always the most dominant athlete,” Nunes said. “I think she really deserves that. I know how I’m going beat Ronda Rousey. I’ve been training for Ronda Rousey since my first fight in the UFC.”

Nunes might already be the UFC champion, but beating Rousey will bring an entirely new level of validity to her career. “Lioness” has no intention of being a tool to elevate Rousey back to her former fighting glory, and just like she surprised many with her title-winning performance against Tate at UFC 200, Nunes said she’s going to come at Rousey with her best at UFC 207.

“This fight is going to change my life, my career,” Nunes said. “I hope she’s ready. I know she’s a very tough opponent, but I’m the best in the world.”

For more on UFC 207, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.