Amanda Nunes fights Valentina Shevchenko in the headlining fight at Saturday's UFC 213 at T-Mobile Arena, and though UFC has "done everything in its power" to make Nunes a star, "nothing has stuck," according to Michael Blaustein of the N.Y. POST. UFC's efforts "began almost exactly one year ago when Nunes won the title against Miesha Tate as the headliner of UFC 200," but was "completely overshadowed by the antics of original headliner Conor McGregor." UFC then gave Nunes the "biggest fight imaginable" against Ronda Rousey in the former champ's "return from her first career loss, and put the fight at the top of their annual end-of-the-year card." Nunes "knocked Rousey out in 48 seconds flat, but again couldn't garner any headlines because there are few things juicier than a fallen superstar." For the third time in a year, Nunes is "topping a huge UFC event in the organization's best women's weight class." But Rousey "once again grabbed the spotlight by appearing on 'Live with Kelly and Ryan' and telling a story about getting robbed." The UFC's "machine for creating stars out of nothing has stalled, and their backup plan was discarded" by new owner WME-IMG (NYPOST.com, 7/7). YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Iole wrote Nunes' joy since defeating Rousey "has been contagious." She has been "all over social media and everyone she takes pictures with is grinning ear to ear." She is having the "time of her life, at the top of her profession with the ability to become one of her sport's household names." Nunes said, "Everyone loves to talk about Ronda Rousey. But it's OK. Everyone also knows who the champion is now" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/6).
FACING AN UPHILL BATTLE: ESPNW's Katie Barnes writes Nunes' dispatching of Rousey "put an end to any doubt that the women's bantamweight division had moved on." The reign of "The Lionness" had "officially begun, and it's been undisputed since." But there are "unanswered questions hanging over Nunes." Barnes: "How long will she reign? And is she really able to carry the division as long as she holds the title?" UFC 213 at T-Mobile Arena is the third card Nunes has headlined, but the "first when her name -- not her opponent's name -- is in the lights." Nunes is "dogged by things that are largely outside of her control." She grew up in Brazil and "began learning English only a few years ago." Sometimes she speaks in choppy sentences and "takes a moment to search for the word she needs." It is "ultimately limiting in a sport that often leans on the personalities of its stars." Then there is the "relationship between Nunes' appearance and her marketability." Fighters such as Rousey -- who is "blonde, white and (supposedly) more traditionally feminine" -- are "easily marketable in a society that values beauty." Nunes has "not starred on the big screen or graced the cover of a major magazine." On top of the language and cultural barriers, she is an "LGBTQ person of color who is not feminine in the same way" as Rousey, Paige VanZant, or Michelle Waterson (ESPNW.com, 7/7).
