Amanda Nunes Explains Why She Pulled Out of UFC 213

Amanda Nunes breaks her silence on the last minute cancellation of the UFC 213 main event…

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes threw the MMA world in to turmoil this weekend. Moments before UFC 213 was scheduled to go down in Las Vegas, ‘The Lioness’ pulled out of the event.

Fans who were looking forward to her rematch with Valentina Shevchenko were left understandably disappointed. As expected, UFC president Dana White was also not a happy camper.

When all was said and done, Nunes vs. Shevchenko was removed, and Yoel Romero vs. Robert Whittaker promoted to the main event. But the story was far from over.

Dana White Was Pissed, Amanda Nunes Releases Statement

Unsurprisingly, Dana threw the Brazilian champion under the bus. White said that Nunes was medically cleared to fight, and also that her withdrawal was “90% mental and 10% physical.”

Now, via her Instagram account, Nunes has released a lengthy statement explaining why she pulled out:

“Everyone is wanting to hear my side so here it is….. I have chronic sinusitis , I have fought with it before but this time It didn’t work out, during the weight cut I was unable to breath [sic] and felt off balance from the pressure in my sinuses. I was not feeling well enough to risk getting punched in the head with such pressure. I was taken to the hospital after weigh ins and they only checked my blood and dehydration so cleared me based on that.”

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The next day I went back and they did a CT scan and found a build up and I was prescribed antibiotics and referred to a specialist. I have never pulled out of a fight before. I am sorry to all my fans that came out to see me, I’ll make it up to you the next time I step in the cage. The fight is being rescheduled. I still want this fight. I still want this opponent. Thank you”

What are we to make of this? Will this whole thing simply blow over, or was Dana serious when he banned Nunes from ever being main event again?

Read Valentina Shevchenko’s statement below:

Bullet Was Gutted

“Today I am 100% ready for this fight. During the last 3 months of training I did everything to be in my best shape for this fight.  Nunes couldn’t cut weight correctly and was hospitalized. She wanted to cut weight and recover rapidly to have the advantage. The end result, everything went wrong.  Even though she was medically cleared to fight, she backed out.  This fight was originally offered to take place in April and she would not accept then.

“I did my part and am very upset that I can’t fight for the title today on this great event.  I am even more upset for all my dear fans who support me every time throughout the world and to those who traveled to see me fight here in Las Vegas live.  I feel frustrated about what happened but I won’t relax, will not put down energy in my preparation, and will wait until the UFC gives us another date for the fight.”