Just days before UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes’ next fight, the defending champion is the betting underdog.
This Saturday, Nunes will defend her championship against top contender Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main event of UFC 215.
As of Thursday, betting websites have Nunes as the underdog going into the fight. Some gambling sites have Nunes as high as a +113 underdog.
Nunes being the underdog in her next fight is shocking based on how dominant she has been in her title fights. It is also surprising because Nunes earned a decision victory of Shevchenko last year.
In March 2016, at UFC 196, Nunes earned a decision win over Shevchenko and earned herself an opportunity at the UFC title.
Despite having a loss to Nunes, Shevchenko is still the betting favorite going into Saturday’s fight. Some betting sites have Shevchenko as high as a -130 favorite against Nunes.
Following her win against Shevchenko, Nunes won the UFC title after submitting former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate at UFC 200.
In her last fight, Nunes successfully defended her title by knocking out former champion Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 back in December.
Shevchenko has won both of her fights inside the Octagon since losing to Nunes last year. In July 2016, Shevchenko earned a decision victory over former UFC Wome’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm. In her last fight, Shevchenko submitted Julianna Pena back in January.
Nunes was originally scheduled to defend her title against Shevchenko in the main event of UFC 213 in July. However, the day of the event, Nunes withdrew from her fight due to illness.
UFC 215 will take place Sept. 9 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The event will be headlined by UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson defending his title against Ray Borg.
