Bantamweight Division Now Open As Nunes Retired Says Tate

Summary:

• Miesha Tate says bantamweight division excited now that Amanda Nunes has retired
• Tate believes she is just one win away from securing a title shot
• Speculation continues that former champ Ronda Rousey could return to the UFC

Two division bantamweight and featherweight champ Amanda Nunes retired at UFC 289 in June 2023 as the “undisputed GOAT” in women’s MMA.

Nunes was dominant in both divisions and only suffered one loss as a champion to Juliana Pena which she avenged by beating her in the rematch.

Nunes retired with both belts and walked away from the sport with nothing left to prove or accomplish. UFC President Dana White is yet to confirm if he will continue to keep the featherweight division now that Nunes is gone but the bantamweight division will now look for a new champ.

Ex-UFC Bantamweight Champ Says Division More Open

Former UFC bantamweight champ Miesha Tate who lost her title to Nunes says that both she and the entire division are excited now that Nunes has gone because no one could beat Nunes when she was the champ.

Tate retired in 2016 but decided to come out of retirement in 2021 to see if she can win another UFC championship. Her return has been mixed as she won her first fight, lost her next two fights and has not fought for the last 12 months.

Tate said in a recent interview that she believes she is just one win away from securing a title shot which surprised a lot of fans as that is mostly wishful thinking. The women’s bantamweight division is looking for a new champ but Miesha Tate is definitely not one fight away from a title shot!

Speculation Over Ronda Rousey Return

There are rumours on the internet that former UFC bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey who retired from the UFC after losing to Nunes in 2016 could be looking to make a return. Rousey never officially retired from the UFC nor did she leave her gloves in the Octagon and hence those rumours have legs to it!

Rousey who signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is reported to be leaving the WWE. She also did a recent advertisement with DraftKings to push UFC 290 adding to the rumours that the former UFC star could make a return now that Nunes is gone!