UFC president Dana White said after Amanda Nunes’ 51-second knockout of Cris Cyborg at UFC 232 that an immediate rematch is unnecessary.
According to UFC president Dana White fans likely won’t see Cris Cyborg get an immediate rematch against Amanda Nunes.
Undefeated since her pro MMA debut in 2005, Cyborg attempted to defend the UFC women’s featherweight title for the third time against Nunes, the women’s bantamweight champion, in the co-main event of UFC 232 — which took place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Nunes knocked out Cyborg in 51 seconds to become the UFC’s first female double champion.
At the event’s post-fight press conference, White made it clear that he does not believe Cyborg deserves an immediate crack at Nunes’ 145-pound title.
“I don’t think you do (an immediate rematch),” White said. “It was a pretty convincing win. I gotta get back in the lab and figure it out (what’s next for Cyborg), but we’ll come up with something for her.”
Cyborg, however, said she would very quickly agree to a rematch against Nunes right away.
“Of course,” Cyborg said. “Of course. I can rematch [Nunes] any time Dana White wants to put it together. I love fighting and this has put more fire in my heart to continue fighting. … When I go step in the cage, say I want to prove something. I like to improve. I like to get better and continue training. And after this fight, for sure, I’m going to train harder.”
When asked about a potential rematch against Cyborg, Nunes was noncommittal. She said she just wanted time to celebrate and take the upset victory in; as of Saturday night, she wasn’t too concerned about what is next for her.
Nunes, who is now the UFC women’s featherweight and bantamweight champion, also did not commit to one weight class or the other. At this time, it’s unclear whether she plans to stay at featherweight, return to bantamweight, or fight at both weight classes, moving between the two.
“I don’t know,” Nunes said. “I have to sit down with my coaches and see the next step. It’s too soon to talk about.
“This moment is huge in my life, you know? I have to process it. I can’t think about anything else right now, honestly. We’ll see what is going to happen next.”