Have we finally found a threat to Ronda Rousey’s dominance?

NO ONE in the UFC has looked like lasting more than a few seconds in the Octagon with Ronda Rousey this year. Until now.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 01: Ronda Rousey of the United States (red) fights Bethe Correia of Brazi (blue) l in their bantamweight title fight during the UFC 190 Rousey v Correia at HSBC Arena on August 1, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

HOW do you make some noise in a UFC division that has been dominated by Ronda Rousey for the past three years? Do what Amanda Nunes just did, that’s how.

The 27-year-old Brazilian marched through Sara McMann like she wasn’t even there at UFC Fight Night in Nashville on Sunday, submitting the No. 4-ranked contender in the women’s bantamweight division in less than three minutes.

Nunes shocked McMann with a huge right hand early in the first round and after gaining back control unloaded a series of punches to the side of the former Olympic wrestler’s head.

She then grabbed her opportunity to apply a rear-naked choke and forced the American to tap.

Nunes’ victory was met with widespread praise in the UFC community, including head honcho Dana White.

WOW! Amanda Nunes looked Great

— Dana White (@danawhite) August 9, 2015

But it wasn’t just the UFC president who was blown away by Nunes. Men’s light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and No. 3-ranked welterweight contender Tyron Woodley also offered their congratulations.

Amanda_Leoa is the real deal! She can fight. What a performance

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 9, 2015

Congrats @Amanda_Leoa you are a beast!!

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) August 9, 2015

Sara McMann looked battered and bruised after a fight which lasted less than three minutes.

The win positions Nunes for a fight against undefeated champion Rousey in the next 12 months. Rousey is expected to fight Miesha Tate for the third time in her next defence later this year but after that it’s anyone’s guess because of the way “Rowdy” has dominated the division.

Nunes says she’s ready.

“Everybody think of me as weak on the ground, but my background is jiu-jitsu and judo. I love the striking, but I’m come from grappling,” she said. “I’m ready, I’m the lion. Let’s do it ... The champion have a fight coming up, maybe I’m next.”

Whether Nunes can threaten Rousey or just become another piece of roadkill remains to be seen. She is 4-1 in the UFC — her only defeat coming against Cat Zingano late last year in a fight she nearly won in the first round before losing by TKO in the third.

Amanda Nunes’ post-fight Instagram post.

Originally published as Have we finally found a threat to Ronda Rousey’s dominance?