After their exciting match in Salt Lake City at UFC 307, Amanda Nunes, a former two-division UFC champion, appears to have rekindled her competitive spirit. Nunes intimated earlier this year that his retirement might not be as definitive as fans believed, having left the sport as one of the most powerful athletes in mixed martial arts history. Now that she’s seen the drama develop at UFC 307, the formidable Brazilian is igniting even more rumors over her potential return.
There were two significant matchups that night that might have ignited the spark for Nunes’ comeback. Julianna Peña and Raquel Pennington, her previous opponents, squared off for the vacant bantamweight title. Simultaneously, Kayla Harrison, her previous colleague and two-time Olympic gold medallist in judo, created a stir with her second UFC appearance. But it was Peña’s post-fight challenge that truly set things in motion, not Harrison’s ascent, that drew Nunes’ interest.
Upon winning the co-main event and taking back the 135-pound title, Peña made sure to give Nunes a strong message inside the Octagon. Never one to back down from a fight, Peña declared that she thought Nunes wasn’t done in the cage and put out a challenge that had the UFC community in a frenzy. Harrison’s ascent together with that callout appear to have reignited “The Lioness'” competitive spirit.
Amanda Nunes Calls Out to Dana White After a Fire Rekindled
Amanda Nunes didn’t say anything following UFC 307, but that silence was broken when she took to social media and made it plain to UFC CEO Dana White. Nunes announced her intentions in a lighthearted but direct Instagram video, saying that she’s prepared for a call.
Nunes can be heard belting out “Outdoor,” a song by Brazilian samba duo Só Pra Contrariar, in the video. However, in true Nunes style, she added her own twist and altered the lyrics to read, “Call me, please,” which is an apparent reference to Dana White. The basic message of the video—that Nunes is back and is just waiting for the next opportunity—was not obscured by its lighthearted tone.
In order to set the scene, Brazilian writer Guilherme Cruz explained that Nunes had changed the song’s original lyrics—which expressed longing—to her own cheeky request to White. Although it was evident that the champion had regained her competitive spirit, it is still unclear what Nunes is hoping to accomplish with her comeback.
The Prospects: A Harrison Showdown or a Trilogy with Peña?
Amanda Nunes has enticing choices should she decide to make a formal comeback to the UFC. Is she going to try to get back her championship from Julianna Peña and try to even the score in a much awaited trilogy bout? Legendary already, their rivalry began when Peña gave Nunes one of the rare defeats of her storied career, only for Nunes to win back her title in a vicious rematch.
Or will Nunes be drawn to her old teammate Kayla Harrison by the promise of a new challenge? Harrison has long been viewed as a possible challenger to Nunes’ supremacy due to her exceptional grappling abilities and perfect MMA record. Both observers and enthusiasts have conjectured about an ideal matchup between the two, pitting Brazilian jiu-jitsu against judo, and UFC 307 has only served to fuel those rumors.
Whatever Amanda Nunes decides, one thing is for sure: everyone is on high alert. Her lively social media presence and her letter to Dana White indicate that she is far from done with the sport. The world over, UFC enthusiasts are excitedly anticipating the next phase of Nunes’ legendary career, be it a bout with Peña, Harrison, or someone else different.
What’s Next for Nunes as the Lioness Awakens?
Amanda Nunes isn’t quite ready to ride off into the sunset, if UFC 307 taught us anything. Fans are giddy about her possible comeback because of her irrefutable legacy as one of the best fighters in history, combined with her funny yet determined message to Dana White.
In a time when MMA icons like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor are often in the news, Amanda Nunes’ comeback would excite fans even more. Every decision she makes will be exciting to watch for fight fans worldwide because of her unmatched skill, unwavering determination, and lively attitude.
Nunes is primed for an explosive comeback to the Octagon, whether it’s due to the pull of reclaiming the bantamweight title or the chance to demonstrate her mettle against Kayla Harrison, who is becoming a formidable opponent. There is no doubt about it: the UFC community had better get ready for “The Lioness” comeback when Amanda Nunes receives that call from Dana White.
