Nunes sees herself as 'the only one that deserves' to fight Tate

Amanda Nunes is out to prove that the women's bantamweight division is more than a three-horse race.

After much speculation about whether reigning champion Miesha Tate would rematch either Holly Holm or Ronda Rousey, it came as a surprise to many when the comparatively less famous Nunes got the call for a title fight at UFC 200.

But to Nunes, the matchmaking shouldn't have unfolded any other way.

"I think I’m the only one that deserves this in the division right now," Nunes today told MMAjunkie. "I'm putting work in the cage and showing good fights and finishes. This is the best way to show everybody the contender, and I did."

The 27-year-old Brazilian has five wins inside the Octagon, tied for second-most among all female 135ers. She joined the upper echelon of the division when she finished former title contender Sara McMann with a first-round rear-naked choke last August.

According to Tate's manager, it was the UFC that arranged the match, but Nunes is grateful to the champ for accepting the fight regardless of the details of how it was put together.

"It's cool of Miesha to give me the opportunity," Nunes said. "She did it the right way. All the time there's a rematch, a rematch. The other girls are never going to get the opportunity. If it's only between Holly Holm, Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate, we are always going to be waiting. I think this is the best way.

"I got a little bit scared because I knew if Ronda come back, the UFC going to give it to her. But this didn't happen, so I'm very happy now that I get the title shot. I'm not scared if Ronda comes back. Whatever happens, I'm going to fight."