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UFC 289 just wrapped up live from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada with the promotion’s bantamweight champion, Amanda Nunes, running away with the scorecards against her challenger, Irene Aldana. Entering into the main event ranked #5 at 135-pounds, Aldana didn’t seem ready for the occasion. Nunes on the other hand, seemed as prepared as ever.
Right away, Nunes was attacking with a variety of strikes. She was throwing crisp boxing combinations, leg kicks, and even spinning back kicks to the body. Aldana returned fire with a hard counter that staggered the champ, but that was the last time she had a big moment. Aldana seemed a bit gun shy out there, which allowed Nunes to dictate the pace and get ahead on the cards.
After the match, Nunes laid down her 135-pound and 145-pound belts, had her gloves cut off, and left them inside of the Octagon for the final time. With one of the greatest records of all time at 23-5, Amanda Nunes walks away from the sport while still on top.
Like the great Georges St. Pierre, Nunes is a rare exception where a fighter calls their own shot and walks away under their own terms. Nunes accomplished everything there is to accomplish in the sport of MMA, and will go down in the record book as the G.O.A.T. Cheers to Amanda for all the memories, and showing the other fighters the proper way to exit the world’s most exciting yet dangerous sport!
UFC 289: Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana play-by-play
Here’s a snippet from our play-by-play, courtesy of Dayne Fox, that basically summarized the entire fight.
Round 1: A few leg kicks are thrown by Nunes but no one is really opening up after a minute. Nunes throws a few kicks to the body. Nunes quickly drags Aldana to the mat with a single leg, but allows Aldana to climb back to her feet. Aldana still hasn’t landed a strike. Nunes lands the first punch. Aldana finally lands a leg kick. Nunes mixing jabs and front kicks as she’s pushing Aldana back. Aldana has a serious case of stage fright.
UFC 289 highlights of Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana
Full UFC 289 fight card results
Main card
- Amanda Nunes def. Irene Aldana by unanimous decision (50-44 x2, 50-43): (W) Bantamweight Title
- Charles Oliveira def. Beneil Dariush by TKO at 4:10 of round 1: Lightweight
- Mike Malott def. Adam Fugitt by submission (guillotine) at 1:06 of round 2: Welterweight
- Dan Ige def. Nate Landwehr by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2): Featherweight
- Marc-André Barriault def. Eryk Anders by unanimous decision (30-27 x3): Middleweight
Prelims
- Nassourdine Imavov vs. Chris Curtis is ruled a no contest (clash of heads) at 3:04 of round 2: Middleweight
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): (W) Flyweight
- Aiemann Zahabi def. Aoriqileng by KO at 1:04 of round 1: Bantamweight
- Kyle Nelson def. Blake Bilder by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Featherweight
Early prelims
- Steve Erceg def. David Dvořák by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2): Flyweight
- Diana Belbiţă def. Maria Oliveira by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28): Strawweight
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