UFC Fight Night 207: Nunes vs. Rousey

Amanda Nunes (13-4-0) vs. Ronda Rousey (12-1-0)

Champion Amanda Nunes takes on Ronda Rousey at UFC Fight Night 207.

Amanda Nunes is the current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, having defeated Miesha Tate in July. Overall, the Brazilian has won four straight bouts, and is on the top of her game. But this fight will be more about the return of Ronda Rousey, who has not fought since November 2015, when she suffered her first and only career defeat against Holly Holm. Despite more than a year out of the octagon, Rousey will be the favorite in this highly anticipated fight.

Nunes lands 4.23 significant strikes per minute at a 52.58 percent clip. She absorbs 2.81 such strikes per minute, and has a defense rate of 49.65 percent. The 28-year-old Salvador native averages 2.07 takedown attempts per 15 minutes at a 38.89 percent rate. She defends takedowns at a 73.33 percent clip, and averages 1.19 submission attempts per 15 minutes. She’d be wise to get aggressive with her strikes in this one, as Rousey did not handle them well against Holm. Rousey got knocked out because she was reluctant to go for any takedowns.

Rousey averages 4.05 significant strikes per minute and connects at a 52.79 percent rate. She absorbs 3.36 significant strikes per minute and defends them at a 44.86 percent clip. In terms of grappling, the 29-year-old Riverside native is exceptional, averaging 6.42 takedown attempts per 15 minutes at a 68.42 percent accuracy. She defends takedowns at a 50.00 percent rate, and averages an otherworldly 4.94 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Rousey will not want to make the same mistake she made last fight, so expect her to try to take Nunes to the ground fast. Rousey tried to box Holm in her last match and that’s what ended up doing her in.