This isn’t the first time Amanda Nunes is experiencing last-minute changes to her weekend fight plans.
The women’s bantamweight champion — along with the 25 other fighters scheduled for Saturday’s UFC 232 — had to shuffle this week when the event was moved from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. A recent drug test on headliner Jon Jones showed a minute amount of the same steroid metabolite as he was suspended for last year, and while the Nevada State Athletic Commission unable to investigate the matter in time to license Jones for Saturday, the California commission was more familiar with Jones’ situation, since last year’s suspension came after a fight in Anaheim.
So Saturday’s whole show was relocated to California.
“Anything can happen. I’m already prepared for that, too,” Nunes said.
The Brazilian champion said she learned about the change of venue on social media. “I would not know anything if it were not for Nina [Ansaroff, her fiancee], my coaches or someone close to me,” she said.
Nunes, who faces Cris Cyborg for the featherweight belt Saturday, recalled two other times when original plans were scrapped. The first was at UFC 200 in July 2016, the first event held at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. She fought in the main event and became champion that night. However, her bout with Miesha Tate was elevated to top-billing only after both Conor McGregor and Jon Jones were pulled from the card, the latter because of a drug test failure. Nunes earned the title belt with a first-round submission.
Nunes also had to scrambled in preparation for UFC 215, which initially was planned for Aug. 19, 2017, in Seattle but ultimately moved north of the border to Edmonton, Alberta, where it took place Sept. 9. Nunes again proved her mettle in the main event, winning a decision over Valentina Shevchenko in a rematch of a bout from a year and a half earlier.
The change in plans this time has not altered Nunes’ focus, which she will need in order to beat her fellow Brazilian. Nunes (16-4) is ranked No. 2 in the ESPN women’s pound-for-pound rankings, and Cyborg (20-1, 1 NC) is No. 1.
“I do not have much to talk about — what matters is that it will happen,” Nunes said. “It’s all settled. Let’s fight, regardless of the place. There was no cancellation of anything, so we’re fine.”
The 30-year-old Nunes is riding a seven-fight winning streak, while Cyborg, 33, is unbeaten in 21 straight since losing her pro debut back in 2005.
“Cris has been unbeaten for years, and I’ve been a long time, too,” said Nunes. “She’s champion; so am I. I know what’s on her mind, because I’m a champion, too. I think it will be a great fight for the fans. It will be interesting. …
“The worst is over, this crazy change of venue. But the focus continues, and now we are getting closer to the mission.”