SÃO PAULO — Norma Dumont desires a combat that will get her a shot on the UFC bantamweight title, however laments the actual fact it’s been so exhausting getting one as of late. The Brazilian expertise gained 5 in a row within the octagon, the final two over Germaine de Randamie and Irene Aldana in 2024, however informed MMA Combating “I do not know” who might 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 mentioned. “I’m doing the whole lot 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 towards 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 on account of damage. Macy Chiasson and Ketlen Vieira will meet on Could 31, leaving her with no dancing companion within the prime 5.
“It could make sense to combat somebody ranked decrease than me simply to remain lively,” Dumont mentioned, “however my aim is another after which the belt, and that wouldn’t put me up there. If I maintain preventing folks ranked decrease [than me] I gained’t be within the place to combat for the belt subsequent. I would like a combat that takes me to a title shot, in any other case I’ll simply maintain preventing and never get to my ultimate aim.”
“I’m by no means their first possibility,” Dumont mentioned when requested why it’s so exhausting getting fights. “Perhaps it’s my model, as a result of I’m extra versatile and large for the division. I feel it’s a method. Generally it’s simpler to plan a win over different ladies. We joke it’s worry and whatnot, however I feel it’s only a technique. I’m a black belt on the bottom, a black belt on the ft. I’m a giant athlete, a robust athlete, I’ve cardio, so possibly I’m a sophisticated combat for these ladies.”
Dumont mentioned 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, affords to function the backup for Peña vs. Harrison at UFC 316, and can be “very best” to have her personal combat on the identical card.
“We had this concept that Pennington and I might be on the identical card of the Kayla and Julianna combat and in case one thing occurred, if the combat falls off, I might are available,” Dumont mentioned, “However Pennington being injured ruins everyone’s plans. Not solely my plans, however UFC’s plans. That they had plans already, and now they’re transferring the items which might 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 to date within the UFC, however the return of the legendary two-division champion Amanda Nunes may break these plans.
“I imagine that Kayla beats Julianna and Amanda may return,” Dumont mentioned. “To not proceed her profession, however to beat Kayla. I imagine she may return only for that, to do the Kayla combat after which retire once more. That may be horrible for me as a result of it will decelerate the division, however there’s an actual probability it may occur.”
If Nunes’s return is barely depending on Harrison holding the belt that after belonged to her, Dumont believes it’s solely a mater of time for it to change into actuality. She gained’t overlook Peña at UFC 316, although.
“The issue is that Julianna is simply too small for the division and her model is to seize and take you down,” Dumont mentioned. “That recreation, Kayla is twice her dimension 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 finish with floor and pound or with some strain to submit. I imagine that might occur, Julianna being unable to deal with Kayla’s dimension, but when the combat will get previous the third spherical Julianna could be a drawback as a result of she will be annoying. She’s lighter, however she has nice cardio, she’s very sturdy and has many suggestions. The Amanda fights, even the one Amanda destroyed her, Amanda got here out with cuts on her face. If Kayla is sensible, she places strain early within the first rounds.”
