What is it that makes Nunes so formidable?

What is it that makes Nunes so formidable?

Here are three characteristics in her fighting style to look out for, and ways in which Spencer may be able to circumnavigate the dangers to find success of her own.

 

1. Distance control

 

Nunes knocked out Holly Holm to defend her bantamweight world title at UFC 239 in July last year

Nunes is a master of range and uses leg kicks to keep her opponents at the end of her strikes and also take the legs from under them. Calf kicks, inside kicks and teep kicks to the stomach are all tools she employs to ensure rivals stay at the end of her long strikes.

When she took the 135lb title from Tate, Nunes used her full arsenal of kicks to keep her opponent from closing the distance, before busting her up with overhand rights. More recently, she utilised low kicks to chop down Raquel Pennington's striking base.

From the opening bell, Spencer must apply intelligent pressure. Closing the distance quickly to push Nunes onto the backfoot and trapping her against the fence is key to wear down the champion. Heavy elbows and knees to the stomach and thighs could pay off later and take away Nunes' movement, whilst trips and hip tosses allow for energy-taxing control.

 

 

2. Body power

 

Nunes won performance of the night for her victory over McMann in 2015

Nunes' capacity to shrug off takedown attempts and push back out of the clinch are fundamental to her ability to keep the fight where she wants it - at arm's reach. Her upper body strength, at bantamweight at least, is conclusive.

After getting hurt on the feet, Tate tried to utilise her wrestling skills to stifle Nunes, but she soon found herself belly down and then tapping from a rear naked choke. Similarly, Sara McMann's wrestling prowess meant she started as favourite when paired with Nunes in 2015, but the Olympic silver medallist failed to keep Nunes on the ground and, when she did, she ended up tapping out too.

However, relentless wrestling and recovering from takedowns is exhausting and with Nunes having never fought a full 25 minutes at 145lb, there are questions around how the extra 10lb will impact on her cardio. Spencer's grinding style can take its toll - if she can get the champion into deep water.

 

 

3. Firefighter

 

Nunes knocked out Cris Cyborg after 51 seconds to win the featherweight world title in December 2018

Undoubtedly the biggest tool in Nunes' arsenal is her boxing. Slick head movement and sound footwork complement a heavy overhand right and busy left jab. The champ has proven time and again that when it comes to a toe-to-toe firefight she's got the power and accuracy to finish anybody.

Rousey's false sense of security in her own striking game made their fight arguably the easiest of Nunes' career. Rousey's looping punches were no match for the champion's straight strikes. And, in supposedly her toughest test, Nunes went toe-to-toe with Cyborg to prove her boxing was levels above even the most feared puncher in women's MMA history.