LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag] didn’t pick up a quick finish at UFC 245, but that doesn’t mean things didn’t go according to plan.
UFC women’s double champ Nunes (19-4 MMA, 12-1 UFC) defeated former featherweight champ Germaine de Randamie by unanimous decision on the main card. Known for her finishing abilities, Nunes indicated she set out to win by going the distance.
“Honestly, I wanted this fight to go for five rounds,” Nunes told reporters post-fight. “That was the strategy: Take her down and dominate her (for) five rounds. That’s exactly what I did.”
Overall, Nunes was happy with her performance. In her eyes, going the distance and utilizing her grappling exemplified the evolution of her game.
“It was awesome,” Nunes said. “Every time that I fight five rounds, I get better the next fight. That was the strategy – to take her down. I know she’s dangerous. She’s (been) doing this forever. She’s (been) a striker forever. I’m just learning striking. I’m a grappler, and I did what I was supposed to do tonight.”
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Nunes didn’t deal with much adversity during the fight, but de Randamie showed glimpses of offense. In Round 2, de Randamie landed a series of big shots on the champion.
The third round saw de Randamie land a hard upkick. But in Round 4, de Randamie shot up for a triangle off her back. How tight was it? Not very, according to Nunes.
“That wasn’t tight at all,” Nunes said. “She had big legs and she was always able to put it behind me. But I know as soon as I roll, I’ll get out.”
So what’s next for the champion? Nunes doesn’t know. She’ll have to go back home and heal before she irons out any of the specifics.
“I don’t know,” Nunes said. “I’m going to relax a little bit, fix these boo-boos, and come back soon.”
Nunes’ victory was her 10th straight and her fifth successful UFC bantamweight title defense. It was her second win over her foe. At UFC Fight Night 31 in November 2013, Nunes defeated de Randamie by elbow strikes at the 3:56 mark of Round 1.
The bantamweight title bout was part of the main card at T-Mobile Arena. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
Check out Nunes’ full post-fight press conference in the video above.
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