After retaining her UFC women’s bantamweight gold
Amanda Nunes easily defended her UFC women’s bantamweight title on Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia against Irene Aldana, and then called it quits after their one sided affair.
The UFC 289 main event bout at Rogers Arena, saw Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) beat Mexico’s Irene Aldana (14-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-43) to record her seventh career title defense.
The encounter was mostly lopsided, the exception being a wallop of a punch that Aldana landed on Nunes within the opening minutes of the fight. Afterwards, Nunes usurped complete domination of her Mexican foe.
Using sharp boxing skills and comportment, ‘The Goat’ clearly showcased an element her game that was way beyond the talent of her opponent.
Nunes jabs and mixture of takedowns were weaponized and effectively used to bash, bruise and bloody Aldana for most of the 25 minutes that the bout lasted.
However, the highpoint of the encounter followed the official fight decision when Nunes told her in-cage interviewer Daniel Cormier, Nunes of her decision to call it quits on the trade that has brought her so much fame and fortune.
“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
Nunes also called on her fellow Brazilians both men and women to win UFC gold. She is the only Brazilian fighter currently holding UFC gold. “I have one more thing to say,” Nunes said.
“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, retires as the fighter seen by many as the greatest female MMA combatant of all time aged 35. Her impressive career record includes victories over former UFC title holders Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie, and Julianna Peña.
Nunes lost just two bouts in the company to Cat Zingano in September of 2014 and to Peña in 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)
