November 2, 2024

Germaine de Randamie still has ‘no idea’ when she will return to the Octagon

Germaine de Randamie hasn’t fought since February, when she defeated Holly Holm.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Germaine de Randamie won’t return to action any time soon.

Away from the Octagon since February, when she defeated Holly Holm to capture the inaugural UFC featherweight championship — which was later taken away by the company —, de Randamie has no timetable for her next fight.

“The Iron Lady”, who pulled out of a planned UFC Rotterdam bantamweight bout with Marion Reneau in September, was reportedly set to fight undefeated Ketlen Vieira at UFC Belem in Brazil on Feb. 3.

Vieira went on her social media Wednesday to announce that the fight was off due to her opponent’s injury.

“I’m here to announce that this fight was cancelled because my opponent has an injured hand,” Vieira wrote. “The weird part is that two days ago her hand was in perfect condition, she even posted a video training. Anyway, God knows everything and I trust his plans, that’s why His plans are better than mine.”

de Randamie, however, claims she never agreed to take that fight in the first place.

“I’m still rehabbing from my injury,” de Randamie told MMA Fighting on Thursday, “never did I signed or agree to fight anyone at this point. The UFC also knows I’m not able to fight right now. I need to let my body heal properly.”

The Dutch fighter has dealt with a hand injury since her UFC 208 clash with Holm in Brooklyn, and underwent surgery in September. de Randamie posted on her social media on Oct. 12 that she “got green light from my doctor to start training again,” but it’s been a slow process.

“I’m carefully starting to train,” de Randamie said. “But I have to take it very careful. So I’m sorry I have no idea when I will be back fighting.”

de Randamie (7-3) currently rides a three-fight winning streak and plans on returning to the Octagon in a 135-pound bout. The only blemish in her five-fight run under the UFC banner is a first-round defeat to future bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes in November 2013.

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