Brazilian MMA fighter Norma Dumont is eager for a fight that will put her in contention for the UFC bantamweight title. However, she is finding it challenging to secure an opponent. Dumont has achieved five consecutive victories in the octagon, including wins against Germaine de Randamie and Irene Aldana in 2024. Despite this success, she admits she is unsure who she will face next.
Dumont expressed her disappointment, stating that her focus is entirely on winning the belt. She is committed to taking fights that lead her to a title opportunity. The current lack of options is a source of frustration for her.
The upcoming title defense will see Julianna Peña face Kayla Harrison on June 7 in Newark. Dumont had hoped for a fight against Raquel Pennington, a former champion, to determine the top contender. However, she was informed that Pennington is currently unavailable due to injury and has no confirmed return date. With Macy Chiasson and Ketlen Vieira scheduled to fight on May 31, Dumont is left without any available opponents in the top 5 rankings.
Dumont acknowledged that fighting a lower-ranked opponent would keep her active, but it wouldn`t advance her towards her goal of a title shot. She believes she needs a fight that directly leads to title contention, otherwise, she risks remaining in the same position without progressing towards her ultimate ambition.
When questioned about the difficulty in finding fights, Dumont suggested that her fighting style might be a factor. She considers herself a versatile and physically imposing fighter in the division. She believes some fighters might strategically avoid facing her, finding it easier to plan victories against other opponents. Dumont jokingly mentioned the idea of “fear” but believes it`s more likely a strategic decision, given her well-rounded skills in both striking and grappling, combined with her athleticism and cardio.
Dumont is determined to avoid inactivity for a full year and anticipates the UFC will finalize a date and opponent for her before the end of the month. Following her victory over Aldana in September, she joined Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Sao Paulo. She has offered to be a backup fighter for the Peña vs. Harrison fight at UFC 316 and expressed that having her own fight on the same card would be ideal.
Dumont explained that the initial plan was for her and Pennington to compete on the same card as the Harrison vs. Peña fight, with Dumont as a potential replacement if needed. However, Pennington`s injury disrupted these plans, affecting not only Dumont`s aspirations but also the UFC`s arrangements, leading to a more complex situation.
Dumont hopes that her UFC record will warrant a title shot after just one more win, regardless of her next opponent. However, the potential return of Amanda Nunes, a legendary two-division champion, could complicate these plans.
Dumont believes Kayla Harrison is likely to defeat Julianna Peña, potentially prompting Amanda Nunes to return. She speculates that Nunes might come back specifically to fight Harrison and then retire again, not for a full career comeback. This scenario would be unfavorable for Dumont, potentially causing delays in the division`s progression, but she acknowledges it as a real possibility.
Dumont thinks Nunes`s return might hinge on Harrison holding the belt that Nunes previously owned, making it a matter of time. She does not underestimate Peña in the UFC 316 fight.
Dumont analyzed the Peña vs. Harrison matchup, stating that Peña`s smaller size and grappling-focused style might be problematic against Harrison, who is significantly larger and more experienced in grappling. However, she pointed out Harrison`s potential weakness in cardio, suggesting she might struggle in later rounds. Dumont believes Harrison needs to apply pressure early to secure a finish, either by ground and pound or submission, as Peña could become a threat in the later rounds due to her durability and cardio. Even in her losses to Nunes, Peña showed resilience.
