Norma Dumont Frustrated by Wait for Opponent, Offers to be Backup at UFC 316

SÃO PAULO — Norma Dumont, a Brazilian fighter, is eager for a fight that will put her in contention for the UFC bantamweight title. However, she is disappointed by the ongoing difficulty in finding a suitable opponent.

Dumont has achieved five consecutive victories in the octagon, with her most recent wins in 2024 against Germaine de Randamie and Irene Aldana. Speaking with MMA Fighting, she admitted her uncertainty about who she will face next.

“It`s very frustrating because my focus is entirely on the belt; that`s my ultimate goal,” Dumont stated. “Everything I do is aimed at securing a path to a title shot. It`s disheartening to currently have no clear options.”

Looking ahead, Julianna Peña is scheduled to defend her title against Kayla Harrison on June 7 in Newark. Dumont had hoped for a No. 1 contender match against former champion Raquel Pennington, but the promotion informed her that Pennington is sidelined indefinitely due to injury. Additionally, Macy Chiasson and Ketlen Vieira are set to compete on May 31, leaving Dumont without a top-ranked opponent available.

“Fighting someone ranked below me to stay active would make sense,” Dumont acknowledged, “but my aim is one more fight and then a title shot, and that kind of match wouldn`t advance me towards my goal. If I keep fighting lower-ranked opponents, I won`t be in a position to challenge for the belt next. I need a fight that propels me to a title opportunity; otherwise, I`ll just keep fighting without progressing towards my ultimate objective.”

Dumont pondered why securing fights is consistently challenging for her. “I`m never their first choice,” she remarked. “Perhaps it`s my fighting style, being versatile and physically bigger for the division. I suspect it might be strategic. Sometimes, planning a win against other fighters is perceived as easier. We joke about it being fear, but I believe it`s simply strategy. I have black belts in both ground and stand-up fighting. I`m a large, strong athlete with good cardio, so maybe I`m considered a complicated fight for these women.”

Dumont emphasized her reluctance to remain inactive for a full year and expects the UFC to finalize a date and opponent for her before the end of the month. Having recently joined Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Sao Paulo following her dominant victory over Aldana in September, Dumont has offered to serve as a backup fighter for the Peña vs. Harrison bout at UFC 316 and believes it would be “ideal” to have her own fight on the same event.

“We considered the possibility of having Pennington and myself on the same card as the Kayla and Julianna fight, with me stepping in if anything happened and the main event fell apart,” Dumont explained. “However, Pennington`s injury disrupted everyone`s plans, not just mine, but the UFC`s as well. They had plans in place, and now they are adjusting the remaining pieces. It`s become more complicated.”

Dumont hopes that one more victory will secure her a title shot, regardless of her next opponent, given her UFC track record. However, the potential return of legendary two-division champion Amanda Nunes could complicate those plans.

“I anticipate Kayla defeating Julianna, and Amanda might return,” Dumont speculated. “Perhaps not for a full career comeback, but specifically to fight Kayla. I think she might return just for that fight and then retire again. That would be unfavorable for me as it would slow down the division, but it`s a real possibility.”

If Nunes`s return hinges on Harrison holding the belt she once possessed, Dumont believes it`s only a matter of time before it materializes. However, she is not underestimating Peña`s chances at UFC 316.

“The issue for Julianna is that she`s undersized for the division, and her style relies on grappling and takedowns,” Dumont analyzed. “Against Kayla, who is significantly larger and more experienced in wrestling, that approach will be challenging. However, Kayla`s cardio might be a weakness; she doesn`t seem to have efficient cardio for three rounds. She`s strong in the first round and a half, but her stamina diminishes. ”

“If Harrison applies pressure in the early rounds, she could win by ground and pound or submission. I believe that`s possible, with Julianna struggling with Kayla`s size. But if the fight goes beyond the third round, Julianna could pose a threat due to her cardio, durability, and experience. Even in her fights against Amanda, including the one where Amanda dominated, Amanda still sustained cuts. If Kayla is smart, she`ll apply pressure early.”