Nunez hasn’t fought since September 2017 and fans are hoping a win at UFC 224 will finally put the women's bantamweight champion opposite the featherweight terror, Cris Cyborg. Amanda is looking to add a seventh victory to her winning streak when she squares off against Raquel in Rio. The American Top Team member became the new raining champion in the 135-pound division after submitting Miesha Tate in July 2016.
The same year, "The Lioness" destroyed superstar Ronda Rousey easily -- it was a first-round knock out in which the round only lasted forty-eight seconds.
The UFC president has been talking about a "champion vs. champion" showdown between Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes for a while, MMA Junkie cited. But, Dana White has expressed concern about Nunez' mental state after she canceled the UFC 213 main event. The announcement was a questionable last-minute withdrawal that left fans wondering if Amanda was actually scared. Its been over seven months since her rematch with Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 215 and that fight was a back-and-forth close decision.
There is bad blood between the two Brazilians
Since making her UFC debut in 2016, Cris has become one of the best female fighters in the promotion. Cyborg took the belt from Tonya Evinger at UFC 214, went on to beat Holm at UFC 219 and got a first-round win against Yana Kunitskaya at UFC 222.
For some time, Cris has said she wants to scrap the best fighters who've made their way to the top of her division, but it looks like there's some bad blood between them. Cyborg explained: “Amanda called me out, and I want to fight her. I just want to remind everyone that she called me out, and when you call out Cyborg, Cyborg will answer.” Now, it appears as though the two Brazilians will finally meet at UFC 226 in July 2018.
The Lioness takes the Octagon in less than three weeks ..@Amanda_Leoa #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/kH7UocBzCU
— UFC (@ufc) April 24, 2018
Amanda Nunes had already agreed to fight 'Rocky'
Raquel Pennington is better known for coming out on top against bantamweight champion Miesha Tate and her clash against Holly Holm. After losing to "The Preacher's Daughter," the Mexican fighter has maintained a four-fight winning streak.
Unfortunately, the Colorado resident hasn't been able to fight since November 2016. Last year, Pennington had shoulder surgery and broke her leg in an accident; but that hasn't kept her down. "Rocky" stayed hopeful by going to the gym every day and working with her team. In May, Raquel is going to have a once in a lifetime chance to win the women's 135-pound title. Also on the Brazilian card is Lyoto Machida versus Vitor Belfort and Rolando Souza against Kelvin Gastelum.