Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Felicia Spencer
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Handed medical suspension
Spencer has been suspended a possible six months by the Nevada Athletic Commission pending medical clearance of a orbital and nasal fractures, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
While nobody will ever question Spencer's heart, she took a tremendous beating at the hands of the GOAT at UFC 250, so it's no surprised to see some mandatory time on the sidelines. She's one of few formidable options in the UFC Women's Featherweight Division, but may be held out of competition until December unless cleared earlier by a physician.
While nobody will ever question Spencer's heart, she took a tremendous beating at the hands of the GOAT at UFC 250, so it's no surprised to see some mandatory time on the sidelines. She's one of few formidable options in the UFC Women's Featherweight Division, but may be held out of competition until December unless cleared earlier by a physician.
Not competitive in quest for gold
Spencer came up short in her quest for the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Amanda Nunes via unanimous decision (44-50, 44-50, 45-50) at UFC 250 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's very difficult to get on Spencer for her poor effort because she was put into a near-impossible situation. Hopelessly overwhelmed against the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, Spencer tried to remain aggressive but seemed to eat a massive shot from Nunes virtually every single time she pushed forward. In may ways, this was a carbon copy of Spencer's December 2018 loss to Cris Cyborg. Spencer looked calm and confident in the midst of a tough situation, but the difference in natural talent between the two was simply too much to overcome. Spencer is tough as all heck and deserves massive credit for even seeing the final bell. Most fighters would have given it up long ago. Spencer is questionably one of the better 145-pound female fighters on the planet, but the gap between her and the very best in the world is significant and noticeable, and it's not going to go away.
It's very difficult to get on Spencer for her poor effort because she was put into a near-impossible situation. Hopelessly overwhelmed against the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, Spencer tried to remain aggressive but seemed to eat a massive shot from Nunes virtually every single time she pushed forward. In may ways, this was a carbon copy of Spencer's December 2018 loss to Cris Cyborg. Spencer looked calm and confident in the midst of a tough situation, but the difference in natural talent between the two was simply too much to overcome. Spencer is tough as all heck and deserves massive credit for even seeing the final bell. Most fighters would have given it up long ago. Spencer is questionably one of the better 145-pound female fighters on the planet, but the gap between her and the very best in the world is significant and noticeable, and it's not going to go away.
Fighting Nunes on June 6
Spencer (8-1-0) is scheduled to face Amanda Nunes (19-4-0) for the UFC featherweight title on June 6 at a yet-to-be-determined location, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
A Spencer-Nunes matchup was initially expected to come May 9 at UFC 250, but Nunes backed out of a potential fight, citing a lack of preparation time amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nunes apparently feels she'll be ready to defend her title about a month later at an event that's expected to be held in the United States. In addition to having yet to decide on a location for the June 6 fight, the UFC has yet to announce whether or not the Spencer-Nunes bout would be the main event.
A Spencer-Nunes matchup was initially expected to come May 9 at UFC 250, but Nunes backed out of a potential fight, citing a lack of preparation time amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nunes apparently feels she'll be ready to defend her title about a month later at an event that's expected to be held in the United States. In addition to having yet to decide on a location for the June 6 fight, the UFC has yet to announce whether or not the Spencer-Nunes bout would be the main event.
Title shot on hold
Spencer no longer appears in line to face Amanda Nunes for the featherweight championship at UFC 250 on May 9, Brian Campbell of CBS Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Despite this fight being one of the bouts disclosed by the UFC for the UFC 250 card, Nunes said Monday that she does not intend to fight on May 9. Given the unique circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nunes is unable to have a normal fight camp, and she doesn't appear to be comfortable going into a title fight without one. Not to mention, the event still doesn't have a location. Nunes continues to work out every day at American Top Team in Florida, but it doesn't look like she intends to fight until later in the summer. There has been no word yet from Spencer's camp confirming or denying the fight is off, or whether the UFC will try to find her a replacement opponent. Spencer likely and rightfully wouldn't accept anything other than a title shot. She had been listed as a (+385) betting underdog for the matchup against Nunes as of Monday afternoon.
Despite this fight being one of the bouts disclosed by the UFC for the UFC 250 card, Nunes said Monday that she does not intend to fight on May 9. Given the unique circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nunes is unable to have a normal fight camp, and she doesn't appear to be comfortable going into a title fight without one. Not to mention, the event still doesn't have a location. Nunes continues to work out every day at American Top Team in Florida, but it doesn't look like she intends to fight until later in the summer. There has been no word yet from Spencer's camp confirming or denying the fight is off, or whether the UFC will try to find her a replacement opponent. Spencer likely and rightfully wouldn't accept anything other than a title shot. She had been listed as a (+385) betting underdog for the matchup against Nunes as of Monday afternoon.
Gets title shot in Sao Paulo
Spencer will face Amanda Nunes at UFC 250 in Sao Paulo on May 9, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Spencer's recent win over Zarah Fairn has earned her a shot at the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship title at UFC 250. She'll be a huge underdog against Nunes, who is coming off her fifth overall title defense, and slight disadvantages in terms of both height and reach will further compound those odds. Spencer's most realistic road to defeat Nunes would likely come have to come in the form of an early end to the fight, either via a landing a one-punch knockout or an early combination. Of course, she'll be facing tremendously long odds to achieve such results.
Spencer's recent win over Zarah Fairn has earned her a shot at the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship title at UFC 250. She'll be a huge underdog against Nunes, who is coming off her fifth overall title defense, and slight disadvantages in terms of both height and reach will further compound those odds. Spencer's most realistic road to defeat Nunes would likely come have to come in the form of an early end to the fight, either via a landing a one-punch knockout or an early combination. Of course, she'll be facing tremendously long odds to achieve such results.