SÃO PAULO — Norma Dumont needs a struggle that will get her a shot on the UFC bantamweight title, however laments the actual fact it’s been so arduous getting one as of late. The Brazilian expertise received 5 in a row within the octagon, the final two over Germaine de Randamie and Irene Aldana in 2024, however advised MMA Preventing “I don’t know” who could possibly be subsequent for her.
“It’s very irritating as a result of I’m targeted on the belt, I need the belt, that’s my aim,” Dumont stated. “I’m doing every little thing with that objective, agreeing to fights that may put me on this path for the title shot, and it’s irritating that I’ve no choices now.”
Julianna Peña will defend her belt subsequent in opposition to Kayla Harrison on June 7 in Newark, and Dumont aimed for a No. 1 contender conflict with former champion Raquel Pennington, however heard from the promotion that Pennington has no timetable for a UFC return as a result of damage. Macy Chiasson and Ketlen Vieira will meet on Could 31, leaving her with no dancing accomplice within the high 5.
“It could make sense to struggle somebody ranked decrease than me simply to remain lively,” Dumont stated, “however my aim is yet one more after which the belt, and that wouldn’t put me up there. If I preserve preventing folks ranked decrease [than me] I received’t be within the place to struggle for the belt subsequent. I want a struggle that takes me to a title shot, in any other case I’ll simply preserve preventing and never get to my ultimate aim.”
“I’m by no means their first possibility,” Dumont stated when requested why it’s so arduous getting fights. “Possibly it’s my model, as a result of I’m extra versatile and massive for the division. I believe it’s a technique. Typically it’s simpler to plan a win over different ladies. We joke it’s concern and whatnot, however I believe it’s only a technique. I’m a black belt on the bottom, a black belt on the ft. I’m an enormous athlete, a robust athlete, I’ve cardio, so perhaps I’m an advanced struggle for these ladies.”
Dumont stated she refuses to be sidelined a full yr, and expects the UFC to have a date an opponent set earlier than the tip of the month. The Brazilian expertise, who joined Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Sao Paulo after her dominant victory over Aldana in September, provides to function the backup for Peña vs. Harrison at UFC 316, and can be “splendid” to have her personal struggle on the identical card.
“We had this concept that Pennington and I might be on the identical card of the Kayla and Julianna struggle and in case one thing occurred, if the struggle falls off, I might are available,” Dumont stated, “However Pennington being injured ruins everyone’s plans. Not solely my plans, however UFC’s plans. They’d plans already, and now they’re transferring the items which can be left. It will get a bit extra sophisticated.”
Dumont hopes she’s one win away from a title shot no matter who’s her subsequent opponent given the physique of labor thus far within the UFC, however the return of the legendary two-division champion Amanda Nunes might wreck these plans.
“I consider that Kayla beats Julianna and Amanda might return,” Dumont stated. “To not proceed her profession, however to beat Kayla. I consider she might return only for that, to do the Kayla struggle after which retire once more. That will be horrible for me as a result of it might decelerate the division, however there’s an actual probability it might occur.”
If Nunes’s return is just depending on Harrison holding the belt that when belonged to her, Dumont believes it’s solely a mater of time for it to develop into actuality. She received’t overlook Peña at UFC 316, although.
“The issue is that Julianna is just too small for the division and her model is to seize and take you down,” Dumont stated. “That sport, Kayla is twice her measurement and far more skilled. The issue is that Kayla’s lungs are small, she has no environment friendly cardio for 3 rounds. She lasts one spherical and a half. She sprints twice within the first, as soon as within the second, and solely as soon as within the third. She doesn’t have a lot cardio.
“If [Harrison] places strain within the first and second rounds, she will be able to finish with floor and pound or with some strain to submit. I consider that might occur, Julianna being unable to deal with Kayla’s measurement, but when the struggle will get previous the third spherical Julianna is usually a drawback as a result of she might be annoying. She’s lighter, however she has nice cardio, she’s very sturdy and has many ideas. The Amanda fights, even the one Amanda destroyed her, Amanda got here out with cuts on her face. If Kayla is wise, she places strain early within the first rounds.”
