Amanda Nunes & Valentina Shevchenko Issue Statements On UFC 213: Nunes Had Sinusitis

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes was set to defend her title in a rematch against Valentina Shevchenko in the main event of UFC 213.

However, the champion fell ill and the fight was pulled from the card, which is tentatively rescheduled for UFC 215 this September.

Now, the champion and the challenger have both issued statements on the matter, with Nunes posting her statement on Twitter:

Sorry to all my true fans. The fight will be rescheduled and I will be back at 100%. Essa luta vai ser remarcada e estarei 100% pic.twitter.com/8WEttqMUgM

— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) July 9, 2017

Shevchenko posted a much longer statement on Instagram, even claiming that Nunes’ method of weight cutting is what lead to her backing out of the fight:

 

Today I am 100% ready for this fight. During the last 3 months of training I did everything to be in my best shape for this fight.  Nunes couldn't cut weight correctly and was hospitalized. She wanted to cut weight and recover rapidly to have the advantage. The end result, everything went wrong.  Even though she was medically cleared to fight, she backed out.  This fight was originally offered to take place in April and she would not accept then. I did my part and am very upset that I can't fight for the title today on this great event.  I am even more upset for all my dear fans who support me every time throughout the world and to those who traveled to see me fight here in Las Vegas live.  I feel frustrated about what happened but I won't relax, will not put down energy in my preparation, and will wait until the UFC gives us another date for the fight. #UFC213 #teamBullet

A post shared by Valentina Shevchenko (@bulletvalentina) on Jul 8, 2017 at 5:10pm PDT

Nunes would deny the claim, instead saying sinusitis led to the situation.

Everyone is wanting to hear my side so here it is….. I have chronic sinusitis , I have fought with it before but this time It didn't work out, during the weight cut I was unable to breath and felt off balance from the pressure in my sinuses. I was not feeling well enough to risk getting punched in the head with such pressure. I was taken to the hospital after weigh ins and they only checked my blood and dehydration so cleared me based on that. The next day I went back and they did a CT scan and found a build up and I was prescribed antibiotics and referred to a specialist. I have never pulled out of a fight before. I am sorry to all my fans that came out to see me, I'll make it up to you the next time I step in the cage. The fight is being rescheduled. I still want this fight. I still want this opponent. Thank you

If the bout is indeed rescheduled for UFC 215, then it is going to be taking place on Saturday, September 9 from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.