LAS VEGAS – Ronda Rousey’s effort to reclaim her UFC bantamweight title ended in spectacular failure as champion Amanda Nunes stopped her after just 48 seconds of the first round of their title fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Friday.
Brazil’s Nunes lit up the former champion from the off, rocking Rousey with a flurry of big punches, her superior boxing never allowing the Californian to close the gap and use her judo skills to take the fight to the floor.
Stunned early on, Rousey had no answer to the power of the 28-year-old and referee Herb Dean quickly stepped in to stop the fight as Rousey was stung again and could no longer defend herself.
“She did a lot for the sport – she was the champion, but now I am the champion,” an elated Nunes said in the octagon following her victory.
Rousey left the octagon immediately following the official decision, making no comment to the press.
Her stature as one of the biggest draws in mixed martial arts saw her get a $3 million purse for Friday’s fight, plus an undisclosed share of the pay-per-view revenues.
In contrast, Nunes was paid $100 000 to show and another $100 000 as a win bonus for her first title defence, apart from an undisclosed share of pay per view revenues.
Nunes walked away with something much more valuable – the women’s bantamweight belt, and the chance to start a new chapter in the history of mixed martial arts. (Reuters)
