Amanda Nunes

Some good news and bad news hit UFC 249 recently – but we’ve come to expect that with the event.

Amanda Nunes has pulled out of a planned title defense on May 9 due to the coronavirus. Nunes was to defend her belt vs. Felicia Spencer, but wants a full fight camp before doing so.

However, MMA Fighting is reporting that the event does have a location, as Florida has opened up the state for MMA.

After the WWE seemed permission to be deemed an essential business, the state passed an order allowing both pro wrestling and MMA to take place. The report states fighters will be flown into Jacksonville before being taken to the exact spot for the night – which remains unknown at this time.

UFC 249, of course, was originally expected for Brooklyn last month. COVID-19 caused it to be moved and canceled to the beginning of May.

Tony Ferguson will meet Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title, while Henry Cejudo puts his bantamweight belt on the line vs. former division champion Dominick Cruz.

Amanda Nunes Out Of Planned Title Defense

One of the three title fights, though, is now scrapped.

Amanda Nunes, who holds both the UFC female bantamweight and featherweight titles, will not face Felicia Spencer on May 9 at UFC 249.

“Actually, I’m not fighting May 9,” Nunes said in an interview with CBS Sports. “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).”

Nunes, who hails from Brazil, has remained in the United States at her home in Florida to train at American Top Team. However, she does not feel ready to face Spencer.

“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.”

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