UFC 289 is under the belt, and we have witnessed a night of some amazing fights. Despite the card not being as stacked as some of the previous ones this year, it still had some memorable moments. Most notably, we finally saw the last of women’s bantamweight and featherweight champ, Amanda Nunes.
Taking on Irene Aldana in the main event of UFC 289, there was a feeling that it could well be the last time we saw Amanda in action. Previously, Amanda hinted at a potential retirement, especially after her shock loss to Juliana Pena at UFC 269. However, she put all the rumors to rest with a definitive victory in their UFC 277 rematch.
The Lioness DOMINATES all 5 rounds in this one 🦁 #UFC289 pic.twitter.com/7dEyFi5C3v
— UFC (@ufc) June 11, 2023
As for her fight against Aldana, many favored Nunes to put up yet another dominant performance. On the night, “The Lioness” coasted to a comfortable unanimous decision victory, taking all 5 rounds in the process. In what was touted to be a good challenge for Nunes, the Brazilian showcased exactly why she has been at the top for so long.
On the night, Nunes recorded 196 total strikes, scoring 6/13 takedowns and racking up a total of 7 minutes of control time. Following her dominant win, as some suspected, Amanda announced that she would be retiring from the sport. Laying down her titles and gloves, Nunes gave her thanks to the UFC, and the staff before graciously bowing out.
Why did Amanda Nunes retire at UFC 289?
Without a doubt, Amanda retires as the GWOAT of MMA, recording 11 title fight wins, the same as Anderson Silva. Currently, Nunes was the UFC’s only double-champ and Brazilian champion in the UFC. Although her double-champ status has often been refuted, her accomplishments are far and above any of her contemporaries.
Making her debut in 2008, Nunes would go on to fight in numerous promotions before making her way to the UFC. Then, in 2016, Amanda captured the women’s bantamweight title after submitting Miesha Tate, marking the start of her dominant reign. Throughout the course of her career, Nunes bested big names like Valentina Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, and more. Thus, one could argue that beaten just about everybody and did so decisively.
Speaking about her retirement, Nunes said, “My mom was asking me so much to do this for so long, she can’t take it anymore.” Further, the two-time bantamweight champ adds, “My partner as well, Nina, she’s been around so much with me my whole career, she’s pregnant now and we’ve been on this road for so long. I decided right now I’m still young enough to enjoy everything that I made. I’ve got to travel, I want to be with my family. I’ve got to spend more time with my family in Brazil as well.” Thus having achieved seemingly everything she could, Nunes now wishes to retire, and spend more time with her family.
Previously, Amanda’s wife Nina Nunes retired in 2022. Since then, the family has revealed the news that Nina is pregnant with the couple’s second daughter, Hazel Ann Nunes. During her tenure, Amanda has long reiterated the need for some freshness in the women’s divisions. With Amanda’s departure imminent, it will open up new possibilities and allow fresh blood to come through as well.