Amanda Nunes: I want to fight Ronda Rousey

The UFC women’s bantamweight division has been more competitive than ever over the past eight months with the title changing hands on three different occasions. The most recent being Amanda Nunes taking out Miesha Tate in the first round of the main event at UFC 200 last month. Although it appears that Nunes’ first title defense may be against Julianna Pena or Valentina Shevchenko, the Brazilian has targeted the former queen of the division for her next fight.

“Ronda Rousey,” Nunes said at a recent fan Q&A session. “But we have a couple of girls in line right now — Julianna Pena, Valentina Shevchenko, and if Ronda’s not coming back, I’ll take Julianna Pena. It’s no problem.”

Her wish could become a reality should Rousey choose to return. The former champion has been on the sidelines since losing her title to Holly Holm last November. She was originally slated to return this fall but underwent a minor surgical procedure that now has her target date for return set for the end of this year or early 2017.

Nunes has no qualms facing Shevchenko or Pena but feels that Rousey is the opponent she is interested in fighting the most. Not only that, she surmises she has all the tools to take out the former champ and can stop Rousey’s vaunted judo attack with her jiu-jitsu.

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“I’ve been training jiu-jitsu since I started,” Nunes said. “Jiu-jitsu and judo both together. I know how to block very well judo throws, I know how to use my hips very well. I know if Ronda Rousey is coming back, I’m going to keep the championship.”