UFC 250: Dominant Amanda Nunes brings into question who even deserves to be in with her

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  • Amanda Nunes was far too good for Felicia Spencer at UFC 250.

    Invincible, unbreakable, unstoppable, unshakeable.

    The words blasted out by Carrie Underwood in Amanda Nunes’ walkout music could not be more apt.

    With another utterly dominant performance in the most one-sided of decision wins over Felicia Spencer at UFC 250, Nunes cemented her place at the top of the women’s game.

    And with two divisions now pretty much cleaned out, the question turns to what is next for the 20-4 Brazilian.

    It would seem the biggest challenge on the champ’s horizon is her impending motherhood – rather than anyone challenging her in the Octagon.

    If Spencer was the biggest threat at 145lbs, the ease at which Nunes dispatched her should more than warn anyone wanting to step up next – as should the chilling smile she wore for much of the duration

    The Canadian looked levels below her more illustrious opponent, with only incredible bravery helping her through the 25 minutes.

    A bloodied mess at the end of the fifth round, Spencer was dominated in every aspect. On the feet Nunes was faster and more crisp with her striking.

    She took her down at will and dominated on the ground, either doing damage with ground and pound, or fighting for a submission – and was a whisker away from ending things with a rear naked choke at the end of the fourth.

    At that point Spencer was spent. Her shots were slow, takedown attempts laboured, face lacerated, and a huge haematoma engulfed her forehead.

    It would have been merciful to end things there and then.

    Instead another five minutes were endured, and bell-to-bell dismantling complete.

    This was a world title fight and Nunes looked like she could have gone another five rounds, there was no challenge put in front of her on this night – and you wonder who offers a glimmer of hope in the future.

    At 145lbs the landscape is pretty barren.

    Some may point to Megan Anderson. Unbeaten in her last two, but a first-round submission loss to Spencer does not bode well.

    At 135lbs the challenge is twofold. The weight cut is obviously considerably more difficult, and you have to question the appetite of Nunes to do that unless there is a genuine contender who can offer something close to super-fight status.

    Germaine de Randamie and Holly Holm have both been dispatched while the likes of Aspen Ladd and Irene Aldana still feel a way off contender status.

    The only fighter you could conceivably argue for is Valentina Shevchenko.

    While Nunes has beaten the Russian twice already, both decisions, she is seemingly the only female on her level.

    However, with Shevchenko busy ruling over the 125lbs division, the thought of a third bout seems a pretty distant prospect.

    Eleven straight wins, two titles, both having been defended, GOAT status pretty much assured, Nunes stands alone.

    A challenge, let alone defeat, may be a long time in coming.

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