Originally slated for UFC 255 earlier this month, a UFC featherweight championship pairing of incumbent best, Amanda ‘The Lioness’ Nunes and two-fight riser, Megan Anderson has been rebooked for UFC 259 on March 6th. As of writing, a location or venue for the promotion’s pay-per-view showcase has yet to be determined.
Set to take headlining status at the organization’s final flagship event of this year on December 12th. — Nunes vs. Anderson was shelved and postponed until next year, with an undisclosed injury forcing the defending champion from proceedings in the weeks leading up to the card. Anderson was ultimately removed from the event in pursuit of a rebooked pairing,
Closing the show at UFC 250 in June, Nunes defended her featherweight title for the first time as she drew Canadian grappler, Felicia ‘Feenom’ Spencer. Taking home a comfortable unanimous decision win over the former Invicta FC titleholder, Nunes successfully defended her crown.
Earning her status as the number-one contender in the thin division, Anderson made short work of Norma Dumont Viana at UFC Fight Night Norfolk — stopping the Brazilian with an opening frame knockout. ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto was first to report the news of the rescheduled title fight.
Nunes, who also lays claim to the promotion’s undisputed bantamweight throne has managed to successfully overcome her last eleven opponents on the trot. Dispatching a total of nine former or current world champions, Nunes has bested Vanessa Porto, Julia Budd, Germaine de Randamie (x2), Valentina Shevchenko (x2), Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Holly Holm, to go with her summer win over Spencer.
30-year-old Gold Coast-born striker, Anderson is also a former Invicta FC titleholder. Earning the interim featherweight strap in early 2017 — the Aussie was promoted to the undisputed champion after her interim success against Charmaine Tweet.
With a 3-2 promotional record since her transition to the UFC, Anderson has picked up victories over Cat Zingano, Zarah Fairn dos Santos, and the above mentioned, Dumont, after a debut outing defeat to the aforenoted, Holm, as well common-opposition, Spencer.
