Amanda Nunes retained the UFC women’s bantamweight title in a near adversity-less affair Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia – and she left both gloves and both belts in the cage.
In the UFC 289 main event at Rogers Arena, Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) defeated Mexico’s Irene Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-43). The win was her seventh career title defense.
The bout was largely one-sided, outside of a hard punch Aldana nailed Nunes with in the opening minutes. For the 20-plus minutes that followed, Nunes was in her zone. Her boxing was crisp and confident. Her jab battered and bloodied Aldana for the majority of 25 minutes, with takedowns mixed in.
But the most historic moment of the entire event came after the official decision. From the start of her in-cage interview with Daniel Cormier, Nunes signaled she had an announcement.
After the premises were searched for a pair of scissors, which were eventually located, Nunes had the following to say, as she took off her gloves.
“My mom has been asking me so much to do this for so long,” Nunes said. “She can not take it anymore, my family, as well. Nina has been around me for so much with me, my whole career. She’s pregnant now. We’ve been in this road for so long. I decided right now, I’m still going to enjoy everything that I’m making. I’ve got to travel a little bit with my family. I’ve got to spend more time with my family in Brazil as well. I left them so young to come here and chase this dream and everything. It was never a doubt in my mind that I’d become champion. But when I became a champion it was unbelievable – a double champion, as well.”
The GOAT has called time on her career 🐐
Happy trails @Amanda_Leoa and thanks for the memories! 🫶#UFC289 pic.twitter.com/FfrAPWxyTW
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) June 11, 2023
In her parting words, Nunes also called on her fellow countrymen and countrywomen to claim UFC gold. No other Brazilian fighter currently holds UFC gold.
“I have one more thing to say,” Nunes started. “I come from a small city in Brazil. The name is Pojuca. Nobody knows where it is in Brazil, but I made it here. I’ve become a champion and the only champion Brazil has right now. So, Brazilian fighters, get your sh*t together. Come get a belt, all right? I’m leaving. Thank you.”
Nunes, 35, retires as the fighter many believe to be the greatest female MMA combatant of all time. Her resume includes wins over former UFC champions Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie, and Julianna Peña. Her only two losses under the promotion’s banner came against Cat Zingano (September 2014) and Peña (December 2021).
Amanda Nunes has retired from MMA after her #UFC289 title defense. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/MJPBLavXTm
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 11, 2023
Full UFC 289 results include:
- Amanda Nunes def. Irene Aldana via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-43)
- Charles Oliveira def. Beneil Dariush via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:10
- Mike Malott def. Adam Fugitt via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:06
- Dan Ige def. Nate Landwehr via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Marc-Andre Barriault def. Eryk Anders via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Chris Curtis vs. Nassourdine Imavov ends in no contest (accidental clash of heads) – Round 2, 3:04
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Aiemman Zahabi def. Aori Qileng via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:04
- Kyle Nelson def. Blake Bilder via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Stephen Erceg def. David Dvorak via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Diana Belbita def. Maria Oliveira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 289.
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