After arriving in the UFC with high hopes of success, Megan Anderson has had to wait patiently for her shot at the UFC women’s featherweight title.
Former Invicta FC featherweight champion Anderson (10-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has suffered a couple of setbacks along the way, but has battled her way into title contention, and will challenge two-division champion Amanda Nunes for the women’s 145-pound title in the co-main event of UFC 259.
It’s the first shot Anderson has had at a title since capturing Invicta FC gold back in 2017, and the Australian will step into the octagon on Saturday night looking to do something no other fighter has managed – defeat Nunes (20-4 MMA, 13-1 UFC) in a title fight.
UFC 259 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
Ahead of Anderson’s title tilt against Nunes, let’s look back at four key bouts that have helped define her career to date.
Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 21 | Jan. 14, 2017
Anderson put herself firmly on the UFC radar during her title-winning performance against Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 21, where she delivered an impressive display to capture the all-female promotion’s interim 145-pound title, then used her mic time wisely to send a direct message to UFC president Dana White.
Anderson used her reach advantage to dominate the early striking from range, then her strength to boss the clinch against the fence. But Tweet gamely fought back and bloodied up the Australian after finding her own range with her strikes.
Anderson upped the intensity and output in Round 2 and it paid off, as she backed up her opponent before eventually finishing the fight with a combination, followed by a head kick.
After her win, Anderson said, “Hey, Dana White! You tell Holly (Holm) and Germaine (de Randamie) to keep my belt warm because I’m f*cking coming for it.”
The interim title was later upgraded to the undisputed title, and Anderson received the call to step up to the UFC and challenge former bantamweight champ Holm on her octagon debut.
Holly Holm at UFC 225 | June 9, 2018
Anderson’s UFC debut may not have been a winning one, but it gave her the opportunity to dive straight in at the deep end with one of the most technically-adept fighters in women’s MMA.
The Aussie lost a unanimous decision to Holm at UFC 225, with “The Preacher’s Daughter” turning to her wrestling skills to earn a dominant win on the scorecards, there were still plenty of positives to take from her debut defeat.
Holm, a former boxing world champion and noted MMA striker, wanted little part of Anderson in the stand-up, and leaned heavily on her takedowns and top control to nullify the newcomer. But Anderson still made her presence, and power, felt early on as she briefly stunned the former bantamweight champion with a big knee.
Anderson showed her defensive and recovery skills, too, as she battled hard to shut down numerous Holm takedown attempts, and fought her way back to her feet after being taken down.
In the end, the 30-27, 30-26, 30-26 scores reflected the fact that Anderson was forced to play defense for much of the fight, but she hung tough and showed plenty of grit on the biggest night of her career to that point.
Zarah Fairn at UFC 243 | Oct. 5, 2019
Following a first-round TKO win over Cat Zingano due to an eye injury, and a first-round submission loss to Canadian contender Felicia Spencer, Anderson bounced back into the win column with a first-round finish of her own as she showed off her submission skills against Zarah Fairn at UFC 243.
During a clinch against the fence, Anderson grabbed a body lock and took the action to the canvas. Once there, the Aussie loaded up with her ground strikes and battered the French fighter with ground and pound. Fairn attempted to scramble her way free, but Anderson was wise to it, and locked up a triangle choke that forced the tap at the 3:57 mark.
Fighting back tears, an emotional Anderson revealed how important the win was to her after some mixed results inside the octagon.
“I feel amazing,” she said. “I definitely know my last couple fights I haven’t fought to my potential, and tonight was about showing who I am and that I’m a well rounded fighter.”
Norma Dumont at UFC Fight Night 169 | Feb. 29, 2020
With her confidence soaring following her first-round finish of Fairn, Anderson stepped into the cage for her next assignment and showcased her punch power to earn a shot at the featherweight title.
Anderson faced Norma Dumont, who pushed the pace on the Australian from the very start of the bout. But despite the Brazilian’s relentless pursuit of a takedown, Anderson defended well, achieved separation, then made her opponent pay.
After circling clear of Dumont’s attempted takedowns, Anderson set her feet and unleashed a straight right hand that knocked out Dumont for a highlight-reel finish as she delivered the perfect statement to the UFC’s matchmakers.
She doubled down in her post-fight interview, too, saying, “I’m the only featherweight who’s on a win streak, so let’s f*cking go!”
Anderson was subsequently granted her wish, and will take on reigning UFC featherweight champion Amanda Nunes in the co-main event of UFC 259 on Saturday night.