Amanda Nunes dominates Spencer, defends belt at UFC 250

Amanda Nunes became first UFC fighter to defend a championship belt while holding titles in two weight classes Saturday night, earning a dominant unanimous decision over fearweight contender Felicia Spencer at UFC 250.

Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt also kcked out Raphael Assunção an instant before second-round bell in co-main event at a fan-free gym on UFC’s corporate campus in Las Vegas.

UFC 250 was second event held at UFC Apex gym in promotion’s hometown since its resumption in competition amid coronavirus pandemic. Apex octagon is 25 feet in diameter instead of typical 30 feet, and those close quarters resulted in several entertaining finishes, including spectacular kckouts by Garbrandt and fellow bantamweight star “Suga” Sean O’Malley.

Nunes (20-4), widely considered greatest female fighter in mixed martial arts history, is UFC’s champion of bantamweight and fearweight divisions.

While Nunes’ dominance was tested in her last bout against bantamweight Germaine De Randamie in December, relatively inexperienced Spencer (8-2) provided little challenge to champ, or than remote possibility of breaking her hands in repeated collisions with Spencer’s face.

Nunes battered slower Spencer with her fearsome striking power from start, cutting challenger’s face and later sending her mouthpiece flying away during third round. Spencer had a nasty hematoma growing on her forehead after fourth round.

Nunes comfortably defended her fearweight belt for first time since taking it from Cris “Cyborg” Justi in December 2018. She has defended bantamweight belt five times since 2016.

Garbrandt (12-3) had lost three straight fights before this impressive performance ended with a right cross that kcked out Assunção in final second of second round. Garbrandt retreated to fence, dodged Assunção’s right hand and landed a perfect shot to face, sending Assunção tumbling backward and face-first to canvas.

win was Garbrandt’s first since December 2016, when he beat Dominick Cruz for 135-pound title.

O’Malley (12-0) opened pay-per-view portion of UFC 250 with a vicious one-punch kckout of veteran Eddie Wineland just 1:54 into ir bout.

O’Malley’s right hand to jaw deposited Wineland flat on his back with his hands still raised. O’Malley imperiously walked away from his single punch before senseless Wineland or referee knew what happened.

“When you’re as fast and accurate as I am, I’m gonna land first and I’m going to land early,” O’Malley said. “And I landed on button.”

Later, Aljamain Sterling rendered Cory Sandhn unconscious with a rear-naked choke just 88 seconds into a fight to determine next contender for bantamweight title. Sterling (19-3), who has five straight victories, swiftly locked in a full-body triangle and a deep choke to finish Sandhn, who tapped out right before going to sleep.

Light heavyweight Devin Clark took a knee with his fist raised in air during his pre-fight introduction from Bruce Buffer. Clark n earned a unanimous-decision victory over previously unbeaten prospect Alonzo Menifield, persevering through a left eye closed by punches.

Clark and teammate Jon Jones spent time on streets of Albuquerque last weekend, speaking to protesters and helping in cleanup effort for property dam.

Clark didn’t speak to media after his fight, instead heading to a hospital for immediate care.

But Sterling spoke out in support of widespread protests following death of George Floyd in his post-fight interview.

“ world is in shambles right w, especially America,” Sterling said. “We’ve got a lot going on in this country. It’s a great country, but re’s a lot of things that need to be changed, especially injustices happening to mirities all across America. This one is for everybody back home fighting good fight, protesting. I support you guys. I’m with you guys all way.”

Fearweight Cody Stamann earned a dominant decision over Brian Kelleher just 10 days after death of Stamann’s 18-year-old bror, Jacob.

“It’s been real hard,” said Stamann, who was visibly emotional in c. “I’ve been fighting tears all day. I had to buckle up and be a man and get this done for my family, for myself.”

UFC led rth American sports’ return last month with three shows in Florida. President Dana White is determined to hold near-weekly shows going forward, and he still intends to st fights this summer on a private island dubbed “Fight Island.”

Although White has been secretive about location where he will st bouts between fighters unable to reach U.S. due to coronavirus travel restrictions, lightweight Herbert Burns let slip that Fight Island is in Abu Dhabi after he beat Evan Dunham in opening bout of UFC 250.

(Im - AP)