Norma Dumont: 145 pounds is faster route to UFC title shot, but bantamweight better

LAS VEGAS – Norma Dumont wants to make sure she’s ready when she contends for a UFC title.

Dumont (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) picked up a pivotal win over former title challenger Felicia Spencer at UFC Fight Night 188 on Saturday, which could have very likely put her next in line for a featherweight title shot.

All roads lead to dual champion Amanda Nunes, but Dumont isn’t necessarily looking for the easiest path to gold. The Brazilian, who’s past two appearances have come in both divisions, thinks getting fast-tracked to a title shot won’t serve her well.

“I think it’s a disadvantage because for you to be champion, you need to fight and Amanda Nunes didn’t become champion with very little fights,” Dumont Dumont told MMA Junkie following Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 188 at the UFC Apex. “She had to fight a lot to become champion, and since there aren’t a lot of fights in the 145-pound division – I only have seven fights, so I’d like to fight more to be ready to fight for a title.”

However, if bantamweight is Dumont’s future home, she’ll need time before making the walk for her next fight. While she understands the perks of staying at featherweight, Dumont is willing to put the work in to drop back down to bantamweight the right way.

“I’ll see what opportunities arise,” Dumont said. “If it’s at 135, I’ll need four months to be able to make that weight and at 145, I can fight in less time.”

She continued, “I’d like to fight at 135. I’d like to do this analysis and work at the PI, and I’d like to see how I feel.”