To say Norma Dumont is not concerned about prospective opponents in her new division is an understatement.
With the conclusion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s women’s featherweight division, Dumont (10-2) has been forced to move down to 135 pounds. “The Immortal” is booked against Yana Santos (14-8, 1 NC) at the UFC Fight Night event on Jan. 13, and she plans on bringing some spice to her new weight class.
Participating on the “Nem Me Viu” podcast run by Fabricio Werdum, Dumont criticized the level of her opponents in the her division of 135 pounds. Known for her ability to create new insulting slang terms, recently calling Chelsea Chandler “p---y face” backstage after their fight, Dumont did not mince words about the slate of bantamweight contenders that will soon stand before her.
“I see bantamweight pretty much as a ‘sausage water division,’ Dumont noted harshly. “I really don’t see any girl in that division being able to stop me in any area.” [Editor’s note: the descriptor of something being “sausage water” means that it is bland or tasteless.]
Not afraid to get into social media dustups, Brazil’s Dumont has been chirping to upcoming title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva. “Sheetara” is planning on facing Raquel Pennington for the vacant throne in January, and Silva had words for her fellow countrywoman during a fan meet-and-greet before UFC Sao Paulo last week.
“I’ll be straight to say. First, she needs to make weight,” Silva shot back, calling on memories of Dumont failing to make weight on two separate occasions. Dumont was ready for her comeback, as if she had saved it as a draft in hopes of being able to use it upon Silva's reply. “And you need to pass thru the doping test,” Dumont answered immediately, jabbing at Silva’s recent suspension after a failed drug test for ritalinic acid.
Despite never officially competing at bantamweight in the Octagon–her lone attempt in 2020 saw her check in 3.5 pounds heavy against Ashlee Evans-Smith–the UFC has the Brazilian ranked at the no. 10 spot, above the likes of Miesha Tate and Josiane Nunes. Dumont has won three straight decisions, albeit all at 145 pounds, so it is unclear her position in the bantamweight championship pecking order.
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