Nunes’ movements may impact Holm
Albuquerque fighter has bout on August 2
Amanda Nunes has talked about retiring before and did not do so. But what if, this time, she means it?
Or, what if the two-weight-class UFC champion stays active but, as UFC President Dana White appears to prefer, focuses solely on the 145-pound featherweight class — and thus abandoning the 135-pound bantamweight division?
Specifically, what would any and all the above mean for Holly Holm?
As reported last week, Albuquerque’s Holm (13-5), a former UFC bantamweight champion, is scheduled to face Mexico’s Irene Aldana (12-5) on Aug. 2 (originally announced for Aug. 1) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lenny Fresquez, Holm’s longtime Albuquerque promoter, told the Journal his client’s ultimate goal is to regain the title she won from Ronda Rousey in November 2015 and lost to Miesha Tate the following March.
Presumably, that would mean a rematch with Nunes, who defeated Holm by first-round TKO (head kick, punches) in Vegas last July. To get there, Fresquez speculated, Holm would have to beat Aldana, then beat the winner of a scheduled June 27 fight between Aspen Ladd (9-1) and Sara McMann (12-5).
But what if Nunes (20-4) removes herself, or is removed, from the bantamweight picture? Again, this is speculation. But that would seem to bring Germaine de Randamie flying back into the conversation.
De Randamie (9-4) is, after all, the UFC’s No. 1 bantamweight contender. Holm is No. 2. Fresquez, though, didn’t mention the Dutch fighter in his conversation with the Journal, other than to note that she is in fact
the No. 1 contender. Why? De Randamie already has lost twice to Nunes, making her less desirable as a challenger. But if Nunes is gone, “The Iron Lady” suddenly looms large.
In February 2017, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, de Randamie defeated Holm by unanimous decision for the inaugural UFC women’s featherweight title. Despite the judges’ unanimity, the outcome was controversial.
Twice that night, after rounds two and three, de Randamie hit Holm with hard shots after the bell. No penalty was exacted. Late punches or no late punches, many observers felt the decision should have gone to Holm.
Take Nunes out of the equation, and a de Randamie-Holm rematch for the bantamweight title would seem enticing — enough so, perhaps, to make Ladd wait for a title shot in the event she defeats McMann (as is widely expected).
All this is assuming, of course, that Holm beats Aldana — no sure thing. But then, nothing is.
THE MAGIC CONTINUES: Albuquerque bantamweight John Dodson has signed a new five-fight contract with the UFC, his manager, Ricky Kottenstette, has confirmed.
The story first was reported by KRQE-TV.
Dodson (21-11), nicknamed “The Magician,” has been fighting in the UFC since 2011. He’s 10-6 in UFC competition.
He last fought on the Feb. 15 UFC card at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, defeating Nathaniel Wood by firstround TKO.
Dodson does not yet have another fight scheduled. He trains principally at Jackson’s Acoma. NEXT FOR NICCO: Former Albuquerque bantamweight Nicco Montaño (4-3) is scheduled to face Oklahoma City’s Julia Avila (8-1) on a UFC card Aug. 8, as reported by multiple sources and confirmed by Avila on social media. No site has been announced.
The fight is rematch of a 2017 meeting, won by Avila via unanimous decision on a minor-league MMA circuit.
Montaño was to have fought on the Feb. 15 Rio Rancho card but withdrew due to injury. She now lives in Las Vegas and trains there at Syndicate MMA. She formerly trained in Albuquerque at FITNHB and Jackson’s Acoma.
ABOUT THE Q: Albuquerque’s Jackson-Wink MMA has disavowed any connection with, or support of, the far-right political movement QAnon, this after a flag bearing the letter “Q” — since removed — was seen on the roof of the Jackson-Wink building.
In a statement released by J-W spokesman James Hallinan, the internationally-known MMA gym said: “It was brought to our attention an unknown individual put a flag on the roof of Jackson Wink Academy. As soon as it came to our attention we removed it.
“We denounce all hate groups, altright groups, and militia violence … ”