Top contender to Ronda Rousey: Stay home, let others have chance to fight for UFC title

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women's bantamweight contender Amanda Nunes wants to fight for the 135-pound title, currently held by reigning division queenpin Holly Holm. Unfortunately, that's not going to become a reality if Ronda Rousey makes her mixed martial arts (MMA) return.

Not with two-million pay-per-view (PPV) buys at stake.

Still, a "Rowdy" logjam keeps the title picture on hold until late 2016 or possibly even early 2017, unless something crazy happens this weekend at UFC 196, like a draw or even worse, a blown call that leads to an immediate rematch between Holm and Miesha Tate.

The No. 4-ranked Nunes talks to Combate (via Bloody Elbow):

"I hope Ronda doesn't come back. If she does, I think she will go straight for the belt and then it will start all over again, it will be another endless wait to fight for the title. I hope she gets some rest. I think she should make some movies and leave that opportunity to the others. I have been here for a long time, since Strikeforce. I was always among the Top 5, but never got my shot. Who knows, if I beat Valentina, the UFC might give me that title shot."

Time off is all the rage these days.

Nunes (11-4) won't be in any position to start talking about title shots until she first gets by Valentina Shevchenko this Saturday night (March 5, 2016) inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (results). A victory over the 12-1 "Bullet" would be her third straight.

Good enough for gold ... or not yet?