When UFC women’s bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes steps into the cage with Cris Cyborg in the co-main event of UC 232 on December 29, she thinks it will be biggest fight of her career — bigger even than her late 2016 showdown with MMA superstar Ronda Rousey.
“For sure,” Amanda Nunes told TMZ when asked if this was the biggest fight of her career (transcript via MMAMania). “For sure it’s the biggest fight. It’s champion vs. champion. It’ll be exciting.”
“For sure,” she added when asked if it’s bigger than her fight with Ronda Rousey. “This is going to be the two most dominant fighters. It’s going to be a good one.”
In this interview, Amanda Nunes was pressed for a prediction for the fight. While she wouldn’t give a precise prediction, she assured she’s ready for everything Cyborg brings to the table.
“I don’t know, honestly,” she said when asked for a prediction for the fight. “I’m ready for everything and let’s see how Cris is going to show up and compete.”
Speaking to BJPENN.com this week, Cris Cyborg gave her take on this mammoth matchup. She believes her cardio and pressure will carry her to victory over Nunes.
“It has been a great camp,” she said. “We have brought in a couple of girls who have fought Nunes. I have gone to train at CSA in addition to my usual coaches of Cobrinha (Rubens Charles Maciel) and Jason Parillo. This camp we brought back Don Madge and added in Kenny Johnson for my wrestling as well. I feel confident that I’m well prepared.”
“I will fight my style, I will not wait for her and I will be the pressure,” Cyborg said. “I have spent a lot of time focusing on my cardio. This fight is five rounds of five minutes and I will have the cardio to use the gas whenever I need to.”
What’s your take on the UFC 232 matchup between Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg? Who will come out on top?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/23/2018.