If you look up the synonym of dominance in the Thesaurus, the word “Amanda Nunes” appears right beside it.
The unstoppable force of the Ultimate Fighting Championship has taken all comers for the past decade, resulting in her holding both the UFC bantamweight and featherweight championships, which is a feat that accentuates her greatness.
In her decade-long career, Nunes has only faced defeat twice. More importantly, she’s retired so many fighters with her fists. Most notably, her legendary 48-second knockout of Ronda Rousey in 2016 effectively forced her to consider alternatives, specifically, Hollywood and the WWE.
Now, we ask, what’s next for the prolific double champion? In a recent interview with the New York Post, Nunes let it slip that there could be something else for her in the future.
With her MMA accomplishments, she’s hinted at a potential WWE career if an enticing contract comes along, saying “It depends on the contract, you know? If the contract is amazing, why not?”
Obviously, the numbers have to make sense. Rousey, for example, reportedly received an estimated salary of $2.1 million from the WWE when you factor in bonuses and merchandise sales. She’s the second highest-paid female Superstar in the WWE, just right behind Becky Lynch. The WWE could offer Nunes a similarly sized contract and she’d probably be happy to reignite her former rivalry with Rousey in the UFC.
The world of the WWE has seen several UFC stars grace its rings, including Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey, both of which had successful careers in both the squared circle and the octagon. Other WWE superstars with MMA backgrounds include Matt Riddle and Shayna Baszler, further fueling the idea that the MMA skillset transfers well in the world of professional wrestling.
With UFC’s parent company, Endeavor, recently acquiring WWE, the idea of crossovers between the two brands has taken flight. The potential feuds and dream matches are tantalizing, with Nunes’ name being a potential draw for the WWE.
As Nunes prepares for her 28th professional MMA fight against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in Vancouver on June 11, one can’t help but wonder what the future holds for this powerhouse.
In the meantime, we can add Nunes’ name to the growing list of MMA fighters who’d love to have a go at arguably the more lucrative side of sports entertainment.
