Amanda Nunes is returning to the octagon despite a picture-perfect retirement fight at UFC 289.
The Brazilian is considered the greatest women’s fighter in UFC history. Wins over huge names like Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey cemented that status over her incredible career.
With Amanda Nunes returning to face Kayla Harrison after her recent victory over Julianna Pena, many will harken back to Nunes’ retirement fight in 2023.
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Amanda Nunes dominated Irene Aldana to retain her title at UFC 289
The final fight of Nunes’ career before her comeback was a UFC Women’s Bantamweight title defense against Irene Aldana at UFC 289.
Originally, Nunes was scheduled to take on Pena in the third fight of their trilogy that saw the pair trade the belt in two fantastic bouts.
However, Pena was forced to pull due to injury before Aldana stepped in to challenge the champion in her first title defense since reclaiming the belt.
Nunes’ career was rumored to be finished before the fight, as the UFC commentators questioned whether this was a fight too far for The Lioness.
However, she proved them wrong with a professional and comprehensive victory over a below-par Aldana, who struggled to hit Nunes with flailing punches throughout the 25-minute fight.
Aldana hit just 41 of her attempted 143 strikes and failed to take down Nunes throughout the fight. The champion, in comparison, nailed Aldana 142 times and took her down to the mat 6 times in a dominant performance.
While she couldn’t put away the Mexican fighter, the judges awarded Nunes a unanimous decision victory over Aldana before she made a huge announcement following the fight.
Amanda Nunes retired as champion after the impressive win
Following her impressive win over Aldana, Nunes laid down her two UFC belts in the octagon and announced her retirement from MMA.
She said: “Tonight is the perfect night to retire.”
“My mum has been asking me so much to do this for so long. She can’t take it anymore. I want to enjoy everything that I have made. I want to travel a bit with my family.
“I left my family in Brazil when I was so young for this dream, but I never thought in my mind I would become a champion. But when I became a champion, it was unbelievable.
“I’m from a small city in Brazil, no one knows where it is, but I came here and I made it as a champion. Now I’m leaving. Thank you.”
Now, Nunes is back in the UFC for good, not just wanting to come back and win the title before retiring again.