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Amanda Nunes open to facing Julianna Pena for bantamweight title

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:14 p.m. ET

Jonathan Bradley

It looks like Amanda Nunes has decided that she doesn’t want to wait around for Ronda Rousey any longer and is will to grant Julianna Pena a title shot.

No. 1 women’s bantamweight contender Pena has been lobbying for a title fight since beating Cat Zingano at UFC 200 -- the same night Nunes took the belt from Miesha Tate -- but the Brazilian asserted that she would wait for former champion Ronda Rousey to return later this year to make her first title defense.

But after hearing that Rousey’s comeback fight had been delayed yet again, Nunes now appears to be open to facing Pena in the meantime.

Nunes wanted to fight Rousey at the highly anticipated UFC debut in New York and UFC 205. However, UFC president Dana White recently stated that Rousey would not be ready for that date, even though she could still fight before the end of 2016.

Apparently, Nunes’ wish to fight in New York outweighs her desire to fight Rousey.

@VenezuelanVixen This isn't up to me, sweetheart.
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) August 24, 2016

@VenezuelanVixen Everyone knows I'm the champ. Proving yourself as the "challenger" is all on you.
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) August 24, 2016

@Amanda_Leoa @ufc You have ducked me for 2 years. I'll believe it when I see you on the otherside of the cage. #NoMoreExcuses #MakeTheCall
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) August 24, 2016

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