Amanda Nunes: ‘Interim title is too small for everything I represent’

Amanda Nunes is only interested in undisputed gold. | Getty/UFC

The news of Kayla Harrison’s injury the week before UFC 324 disappointed fans, but undoubtedly most affected by her opponent, Amanda Nunes.“I have never experienced anything like this in my entire career. I had already finished camping and started packing my bags when UFC called me,” the former two-division champion said in an interview with Ag.Vecht backstage at the Las Vegas event.

‘There is a whole plan’

The “Lioness” stated that she had never considered competing for an interim title.“The athletes are right when they ask I’ve been there, I know what it’s like to be there and fight for the title, there’s a lot that goes into it,” she said. “There’s a whole plan, there’s a plan between me and the UFC. The interim title is too small for everything I represent in women’s MMA.”

Nunes did admit that if Harrison doesn’t recover relatively quickly, she might change her mind.

“A year (waiting for Kayla) is too much,” Nunes said. “Even the UFC doesn’t want her recovery to take that long. I know injuries and surgeries are complicated things to come back from, but I hope she can. Because I depend on her. I want her to recover well because I’m waiting for her. I’m doing very well, the Lioness is back, 100% and hungry for victory.”