What's next for Amanda Nunes:

Can anyone stop 'The Lioness'?
On Saturday night, we were treated to one of the most dominant, complete and composed title defending displays in recent octagon memory, as hometown hero Amanda 'The Lioness' Nunes retained her bantawmeight championship in a one sided beat down of the talented Raquel Pennington, over five rounds. Claiming her third successful retention, Nunes lastly picked up a narrow victory over former foe Valentina Shevchenko, after similarly to the Pennington fight, albeit timely, a knock out of former division queen Ronda Rousey. Struggling with a broken nose between rounds four and five on her stool, Raquel, despite her initial unwillingness and under eventual corner orders, began the fifth and final round. Early in the exchanges, which Nunes was unmatched, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt scored an outside trip and established both hooks on a defense less 'Rocky' Raquel, and began pounded from back mount, forcing the TKO with Pennington nose spraying claret. Another dominant and almost routine win for Nunes at this stage, who can challenge her next?


 Cris Cyborg featherweight Superfight: The only logical step forward for Brazil's biggest elites is an eventual, exciting Superfight. Featherweight best Cris Cyborg continued her similarly dominant reign of the shallow division with a late notice knockout victory over promotional debutante Yana Kunitskaya at UFC 222, and only for the untimely injury to Max Holloway, we may have originally had Cyborg vs. Nunes for the 145lbs gold at UFC 224 last weekend. Initially, it seemed Justino had zero intention of meeting her compatriot in a defense of her strap, but after her win over Kunitskaya, Cris admitted that if the UFC, the fans and Nunes herself were interesting in a bout, she would entertain it. Both women are arguably #1 and #2 in terms of natural striking ability with former strawweight queen Joanna Jedrezjczyk coming in a close third in terms of the female ranks, and both Brazilian's are excellent grapplers. Expect this title tilt for Nunes toward the tail end of 2018.


 Ketlen Vieira clash:  Another all Brazilian affair, would see Nunes pitted against talented grappler and undefeated phenom Ketlen Vieira in search of her fourth successful title retention. The Manaus native recently burst onto the UFC scene in April, 2017, with a decision win over Ashlee Evans-Smith, and extended her unbeaten run with a submission victory over Sara McMann. Her most notable career win to date came against former title challenger 'Alpha' Cat Zingano, utilizing her Judo black belt to out score the returning striker over three rounds, more than likely earning her a potential shot at Nunes' throne. Vieira offers an interesting match up for Nunes, particularly with her grappling prowess, but in terms of striking, they are oceans apart.


 Cat Zingano vs. Marion Reneau winner: Maybe the least likely of these meetings, but realistically a hugely dangerous match up for Nunes, particularly if former foe Zingano emerges victorious against Reneau. Nunes suffered her last MMA loss to Cat in 2014, finding herself on the receiving end of some brutal elbows from the Minnesota fan favorite. Zingano will of course meet wily BJJ player Reneau this summer at UFC Fight Night Boise, and a notable finish for either contender can almost guarantee them a shot at the Bahia bruiser Nunes, especially considering the slim pickings within the division's top five. #1 ranked contender Holly Holm is currently exploring the featherweight division and will meet Invicta FC great Megan Anderson at UFC 225, #2 ranked Pennington just had her siege halted while top three challenger Julianna Peña is coming off a surprising submission loss to now flyweight title chaser Valentina Shevchenko, and recently gave birth to a baby girl in January so a return in the current climate is on hold.

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