Amanda Nunes may have some work left to do if she’s to cement herself as the UFC’s greatest women’s fighter of all time.
Nunes announced her retirement at UFC 289 in June 2023, laying down the gloves and her two titles after a victory over Irene Aldana.
Having reigned with dominance at both 135 and 145 pounds, the Brazilian’s status as the female GOAT on MMA’s biggest stage appeared unrivaled.
Since Nunes has been gone, though, the legacies of a couple of other champions have been further enhanced.
And one UFC commentator thinks Nunes’ comeback is coming at a necessary time to bolster her position at the top.
Jon Anik says Amanda Nunes isn’t clear of Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili
Speaking to James Lynch for Bodog Canada prior to Saturday’s UFC 316 event, play-by-play commentator Jon Anik analysed Nunes’ plan to return to the bantamweight fold.
The Brazilian legend was in attendance as Kayla Harrison beat Julianna Pena to emerge from the Prudential Center with the 135-pound belt in her possession, setting up their long-awaited fight.
Nunes plans to cut Harrison’s reign short and return to the throne, and Anik thinks that might be required to ensure she doesn’t get bogged down in a GOAT debate with the likes of Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili.
“I think the Kayla Harrison-Amanda Nunes fight is absolutely enormous,” Anik said.
“It’s certainly deep into seven figures (for that fight)…I don’t know that Amanda Nunes necessarily has realized financial freedom in totality that would make her not want to sort of risk legacy.
“And I will also say, too – I don’t like the greatest of all time conversation…but Zhang Weili and Valentina Shevchenko are absolutely on Amanda’s heels,” Anik added.
“The greatest female mixed martial arts athlete of all time conversation, not that it’s ever closed, but it felt a lot more closed when she retired after the Irene Aldana fight than it does now. Valentina has a s–t ton of momentum and Zhang Weili might be the best athlete in all of pro sports.”
Zhang Weili could have the chance to replicate Amanda Nunes’ UFC feat soon
Nunes remains the only woman in UFC history to collect titles in two different weight classes. That stat, however, could soon be under threat.
After Shevchenko defeated Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 to defend her flyweight title, ‘Bullet’ was quickly called out by the champion from the weight class below.
With her two-division ambitions growing, Zhang staked her claim for the next shot at Shevchenko, an opportunity she’s seemingly battling Natalia Silva for.
Should the UFC grant ‘Magnum’ her wish to challenge for the 125-pound gold, the Chinese standout will have the chance to join Nunes in the ‘champ-champ’ club.
That accomplishment would no doubt move her closer to ‘The Lioness’ in the race for GOAT status.