Amanda Nunes eyes rematch with Cat Zingano, title shot next

RIO DE JANEIRO — Amanda Nunes got back in the win column with a first-round win over Shayna Baszler at Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 62, and she already has plans for what comes next.

The “Lioness of the Ring,” who finished Baszler with leg kicks at the Maracanazinho gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, is hoping to get another shot at former No. 1 contender Cat Zingano, the only woman to beat her under the UFC banner.

“I want a rematch with Cat Zingano. I think the UFC can book us to fight again in Las Vegas,” Nunes said after the win. “I have to fight a top 5, and then I deserve a title shot.”

Nunes had a good start against Zigano at UFC 178 in September, but suffered a third-round TKO. Following her win over Baszler, Nunes had a quick chat with UFC president Dana White.

“I lost my last fight in Las Vegas and I promised Dana White I would come back, win, and become the champion,” she said. “I promised that, and I proved it tonight. I went there and asked him ‘Do you remember that? It starts today, and I’m going for the title.’

“This is the ‘Lioness.’ This is the real Amanda Nunes I was trying to find my whole career. I did it tonight,” she added.

Nunes is 3-1 inside the Octagon, with all of her victories coming by first-round knockouts.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Amanda Nunes got back in the win column with a first-round win over Shayna Baszler at Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 62, and she already has plans for what comes next.

The “Lioness of the Ring,” who finished Baszler with leg kicks at the Maracanazinho gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, is hoping to get another shot at former No. 1 contender Cat Zingano, the only woman to beat her under the UFC banner.

“I want a rematch with Cat Zingano. I think the UFC can book us to fight again in Las Vegas,” Nunes said after the win. “I have to fight a top 5, and then I deserve a title shot.”

Nunes had a good start against Zigano at UFC 178 in September, but suffered a third-round TKO. Following her win over Baszler, Nunes had a quick chat with UFC president Dana White.

“I lost my last fight in Las Vegas and I promised Dana White I would come back, win, and become the champion,” she said. “I promised that, and I proved it tonight. I went there and asked him ‘Do you remember that? It starts today, and I’m going for the title.’

“This is the ‘Lioness.’ This is the real Amanda Nunes I was trying to find my whole career. I did it tonight,” she added.

Nunes is 3-1 inside the Octagon, with all of her victories coming by first-round knockouts.