In an admittedly slim division, Megan Anderson (9-3) is a clear stand-out in the women’s featherweight ranks. However, she’s unsure that a title tilt with champion Amanda Nunes awaits, regardless of what happens this weekend in Rochester.
‘The Lioness’ famously dethroned Cris Cyborg in December and while she’s since decided that she’ll defend the belt after her upcoming bantamweight title fight with Holly Holm, Anderson isn’t yet totally convinced. At the very least, she’d like a plan B in place. “If she is (defending), that’s awesome. If she’s not, then we need to come up with a plan moving forward,” she told MMA Junkie.
“The division has already taken so long to be developed. I think it’s a little unfair to wait around for a year or a year-and-a-half when she decides ‘I don’t want to defend my featherweight belt anymore.’ It’s already been put back enough, let’s just make a decision and go forward.”
Nonetheless, Anderson’s focus is currently on Felicia Spencer, her opponent this Saturday night. Spencer (6-0) was the Invicta FC Featherweight Champion before accepting this fight and unlike many of her peers, she’s never competed below this weight-class either. That’s generally been an issue for the UFC, struggling to build a strong division with Featherweight Ultimate Fighter winner Macy Chiasson even dropping to Bantamweight after officially entering the promotion.
As a result of moves like that, Anderson is without a particularly loaded list of opponents. A genuine Featherweight contender, Anderson is often left frustrated by the lack of competition. “It’s kind of bulls**t but we’ve got to make do with what we’ve got,” she said. “Hopefully moving forward it’s going to look better.”
While it’s likely flown somewhat under the radar, this fight is a pivotal one for the UFC’s developing women’s featherweight division. Whether Nunes indeed defends her title or not, the winner of this bout will be in pole position for a shot at the gold.
Fightful will have live coverage of Anderson’s fight with Spencer as well as a post-show podcast review of the whole event too.
