Ketlan Viera calls for fight with Amanda Nunes after Brazilian's win over Julianna Pena
- Doug Mattushek
- 1 August 2022
Amanda Nunes is fresh off regaining her UFC Bantamweight title after defeating a tenacious Julianna Pena, but what is next for the double champion?
The Brazilian went five rounds with Pena at UFC 277 on Saturday to avenge her December 2021 loss and retake the bantamweight belt. With the heavily lopsided decision win - there was even a 50-43 scorecard - and a piece of Pena's skull left on the canvas, there is not much argument for a rematch.
Second-ranked women's bantamweight Ketlan Viera was quick to get on social media after Nunes' bloody victory, saying "there's no option" other than a fight with her.
Congratulations, Amanda! You had a great fight yesterday and you showed you’re in a good shape!
— Ketlen Vieira (@ketlenvieiraufc) July 31, 2022
Congrats to took your belt back. I think there’s no option than fight with me and be ready for it, because
To be fair, Viera may deserve a shot after back-to-back wins against former division champions Holly Holm and Meisha Tate. But "deserve" is likely a word not heard as often as you'd think in the UFC's matchmaking room…
Much more spicy - and likely more profitable for the UFC - is a rematch with Flyweight champion Valentina Schevchenko. The Kyrgyzstani kickboxer is on a nine-win streak and her last two losses were at the hands of Nunes, the last being a close split decision in 2017.
UFC overlord Dana White gave the idea some credence at the post-fight media conference.
"Yeah, that's not a bad idea," White told the media, as per mmajunkie.com.
"Normally, I would say, 'Come on, man.' That's not a bad idea, I mean, when you really think about it. I'm not saying yes. I'm just saying it's not a bad idea.
"I mean, we'll figure it out. She's the double-champ. I love the kid. I have a great relationship with her. She's been amazing to work with and I'll do whatever she wants to do..."
As it would appear, the 'champ champ' has her future in her own scarily powerful hands. But at 34 years old, with accolades aplenty, two belts and motherly duties, will that future involve the octagon?
