Amanda Nunes out of UFC event on May 9th. amid COVID-19 pandemic

Scheduled to make the premier defence of her UFC featherweight championship at an upcoming UFC event on May 9th. against perennial contender, Felicia Spencer – those plans are no more, as Brazil’s Amanda Nunes, has announced her withdrawal from the contest due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The current bantamweight champion revealed to CBS Sports on Monday evening, that she will still meet Spencer in the future, just not on the May 9th. card. Nunes explained how she wanted a full training camp to prepare for the former Invicta FC featherweight best, which is now impossible due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“Actually, I’m not fighting [on] May 9th.,” Nunes told. “I’m going to fight, [but] I don’t know yet. I don’t think this is the right time for me right now to fight. Let this coronavirus pass a little bit so I can at least have a full camp. We can maybe see around June, [but] let’s see what is going to happen. But, I’m not fighting (on May 9th.)”

“I like this matchup (against Spencer) a lot,” Nunes explained. “I like to fight girls like her – tough, want to fight all the time, she’s not a running fighter. She’s really going to bring that and I love it. That brings out the best in me.”

Nunes successfully lodged the fifth defence of her 135-pound crown last December at UFC 245, picking up a second career win over kickboxing ace, and inaugural featherweight titleholder, Germaine de Randamie. The 31-year-old managed a shocking opening minute knockout of compatriot Cris Cyborg back in December of 2018, taking the featherweight throne in the process.

Scheduled opponent, Spencer, has spent just three fights in the Octagon so far, impressing to a great degree in the process. The 29-year-old arrived on the scene with a submission of fellow former Invicta FC 145-pound champion, Megan Anderson, before an admirable decision loss to the aforementioned, Cyborg. The Quebec native secured her premier promotional title tilt at UFC Fight Night Norfolk in February, via a ground-and-pound stoppage of Zarah Fairn Dos Santos.

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Ross Markey

Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.