Amanda Nunes Wants Full Camp, Says She Won’t Fight on May 9 UFC Card

Amanda Nunes will not be defending her UFC featherweight crown on May 9.

The two-division champion told CBS Sports that she would prefer to have a full camp before facing Felicia Spencer in a 145-pound title bout. UFC President Dana White announced a 12-bout lineup – which included Nunes vs. Spencer -- for the event last week, but a location has yet to be disclosed.

"Actually, I'm not fighting May 9," Nunes said. "I'm going to fight, [but] I don't know yet. I don't think this is the right time for me right now to fight. Let this coronavirus pass a little bit so I can at least have a full camp. We can maybe see around June, [but] let's see what is going to happen. But I'm not fighting [May 9]."

On Friday, White held a conference call with fighters in which he discussed the promotion’s plans during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that session, the UFC president emphasized that athletes who do not feel comfortable competing during this time will not be penalized for their decision. The Las Vegas-based organization still has designs on staging its remaining 34 events in 2020, and White intends to hold one event per week starting on May 9. Most events are expected to take place in the United States, and the promotion is working on holding a majority of them at its UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Nunes said that her gym, American Top Team, has opened for fighters with upcoming bouts. She is doing her best to stay in shape while still observing social distancing guidelines.

"The gym opened just for people that has fights coming up," Nunes said. "It's not many people, just me and a couple guys that are going to be on the same card as me. We all have separate training with just me and my coach, one on one.

"I keep in shape like that. I go to the gym only one time in the morning and do everything. I do a couple of things by myself and some things that I need a coach. Then I come home and I really do everything I need to keep in shape. I have a treadmill and some weights."

A former Invicta FC featherweight queen, Spencer has been victorious in eight of her nine professional outings, with her only defeat coming at the hands of Cristiane Justino in July 2019. Spencer earned a title shot on the strength of a first-round TKO of Zarah Fairn dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 159 on Feb. 29.

"I like this matchup a lot," Nunes said. "I like to fight girls like her -- tough, want to fight all the time, she's not a running fighter. She's really going to bring that and I love it. That brings out the best in me."

Nunes last appeared at UFC 245, where she defended her bantamweight belt with a five-round verdict against Germaine de Randamie on Dec. 14. “Lioness” is currently on a 10-fight winning streak in UFC competition.