VANCOUVER, British Columbia – UFC president Dana White wasn’t among those caught off guard when double champion Amanda Nunes announced her retirement Saturday.
Following her dominant UFC 289 title defense vs. Irene Aldana at Rogers Arena, Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) asked for a pair of scissors, removed her gloves, dropped her titles in the center of the canvas, and put her gloves next to her hardware.
“First of all, she looked incredible,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “It was an amazing performance. She completely shut her down. I think one of the guys was telling me tonight that it was the most punches landed or something like that. It was the most punches ever landed. I think she passed Sara McMann tonight for takedowns, so more records for her.
White received the signal from Nunes immediately following the final horn that the retirement announcement was coming. But even before that, White said he suspected the possibility Nunes wouldn’t fight much longer.
“I’m not shocked that she retired,” White said. “I’ve been saying for a while, she’s made a lot of money and her life was a lot different than it was 10 years ago. … This must be what Amanda wants, so I’m definitely happy for her. Would I like to see her stick around and do some more? Absolutely. She’s been incredible to work with. She’s such a good human being and a great champion. Obviously, she’s the greatest female fighter of all time. I’d love to keep her around. But if she’s ready to go, you have to be happy for her.”
In MMA, retirements happen often but seldom stick. For Nunes, a fighter who has likely made more money than many other women in MMA history, White indicated he firmly thinks UFC 289 was a legitimate curtain call.
“Oh yeah, she’s definitely (done),” White said. “Listen, everybody spins every f*cking thing I say, but I kind of felt this. She made a very good living. She’s made a lot of money. She’s going to be good.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.
