Amanda Nunes will kick off her 2021 campaign with a featherweight title defense.
MMA Fighting confirmed with sources with knowledge of the matchup that Nunes’ 145-pound championship bout opposite Megan Anderson has been rescheduled for UFC 259 on March 6, following an initial report from ESPN.
The Nunes-Anderson matchup was first booked for UFC 256 in December, but Nunes withdrew due to health issues.
Nunes (20-4) seeks the second defense of her featherweight title after defeating Felicia Spencer by unanimous decision at UFC 250 in June. She closed out 2019 with her fifth consecutive bantamweight title defense when she beat Germaine de Randamie for a second time at UFC 245.
In all, Nunes has won 11 straight fights and eight championship bouts since March 2015.
Anderson (11-4) earned her title shot on the strength of a 3-1 run that has seen her pick up first-round finishes of Norma Dumont, Zarah Fairn, and Cat Zingano (the latter due to a freak eye injury caused by an Anderson kick). The Australian is a former Invicta FC featherweight champion.
A location has yet to be made official for UFC 259.
