Amanda Nunes cruised her way to a decision win against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 and announced her retirement after the fight.
The consensus greatest female MMA fighter of all-time in Nunes showed her class early on by mixing up her striking and wrestling as Aldana didn’t land a single strike in the opening two minutes. ‘The Lioness’ went to the body of Aldana with a beautiful spinning back kick but Nunes replied with a right hand just moments later that stunned Nunes.
Aldana was being out-landed by Nunes in the second round as the challenger needed to change her game plan. Nunes continued to take Aldana down with ease with the Mexican showing grappling defence. Aldana was being urged by her corner team to go after the champion as the fight approached the half-way mark.
The champion opened up a cut on the face of Aldana with a huge elbow at the start of the fourth round. Nunes was landing at ease as the fight entered the final round and Aldana's corner could have easily stopped it as the Mexican was being outclassed. Nunes controlled Aldana on the mat in the fifth round as the scores read 50-44, 50-44 and 50-43 in her favour after the final bell.
Nunes said of her decision to retire: "My mum has been asking me to stop doing this for so long, she cannot take this anymore. I decided right now that I have to spend more times with my family in Brazil. I left them so long ago to pursue this journey. I want to thank the UFC and every person that made this show happen."
What were your thoughts on Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana's fight at UFC 289? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
Also at UFC 289, Charles Oliveira knocked out Beneil Dariush in the opening round to set up a rematch against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Oliveira had Dariush on wobbly legs after landing a head kick and the Brazilian followed up with some heavy ground and pound to get the finish.
Canadian prospect Mike Malott tapped out Adam Fugitt in the second round much to the delight of the Vancouver crowd. Dan Ige and Marc-André Barriault picked up decision wins on the main card whilst there were also good performances for the likes of Aiemann Zahabi and Kyle Nelson on the prelims.
