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UFC

Amanda Nunes retires at UFC 289 after defending Title

Amanda Nunes won a majority decision against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 on Saturday night to retain her bantamweight championship before declaring her retirement. Nunes controlled the bout, hitting much more punches than her opponent, as Aldana’s camp urged their woman to go on the offensive frequently. Nunes stated that she would like to be active in mixed martial arts in the future and coach a female champion, but she will first devote herself to time with her wife and family in Brazil. Aldana was repeatedly assaulted in the face, with one elbow strike causing a laceration on her face.

The Brazilian has defeated all of her generation’s most accomplished MMA fighters, including former UFC champions Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko, Germaine de Randamie, Miesha Tate, and Julianna Pena. Nunes resigned from the sport as a two-division champion after six bantamweight title defences and two featherweight championship defences.

Amanda Nunes’ retirement signalled the end of one of the most renowned careers in the history of MMA. Following her UFC 289 victory against Irene Aldana, the long-time double champ surrendered her women’s bantamweight and featherweight titles. Dana White, President of the UFC, intimated that the latter belt would retire with ‘The Lioness.’

Nunes has a one-of-a-kind resume, but her accomplishments are equivalent to one of the company’s most crucial events, according to UFC president Dana White. Dana White praised Amanda Nunes at the UFC 289 post-fight press conference. When questioned about Nunes’ retirement, UFC president Dana White recognised a comparison with a pivotal point in the company’s history.

“Would I like to see her stick around and do some more? Absolutely, I love the kid. She’s been incredible to work with. She’s such a good human being and an incredible champion. Obviously, the greatest female fighter of all-time. I’d love to keep her around. But if she’s ready to go, then you’ve got to be happy for her,” Dana White told reporters of MMA Fighting.

Although Nunes is still in her prime, her former opponent and current Bellator featherweight champion Cyborg appeared unfazed by the news. Nunes defeated Cyborg in the opening round of UFC 232 in 2018 to win the featherweight belt. Cyborg’s first defeat in more than 13 years ended her unbeaten record of 21 fights. Cyborg was anxious to rematch, but she left the UFC in 2019 to join Bellator, putting a significant stumbling stone in the way of a rematch.

“I’m not surprised,” stated Cyborg on her YouTube account. “I believe she’s been fighting for quite some time. I’m aware she has a wife, a child, and another on the way. So she’s been struggling for a long time and now has a new chapter in her life, which she’s quite pleased about. I’m not surprised at all.”

“I don’t want to say upset, but I think the right word is disappointed,” Cyborg remarked about Nunes’ retirement. “I had one goal in mind: to make the rematch before I or she retired. I believe many fans requested this as well. Many people remark to Julianna Pea, ‘Oh you left before the third battle.’ But after we battled, I had been unbeaten for 14 years. I thought the rematch would be fantastic, but now I’m not sure.”

Nunes is one of only three fighters in UFC history to hold two championships at the same time. The others are Conor McGregor (featherweight and lightweight) and Daniel Cormier (light heavyweight and heavyweight). Nunes was a major step up in competition for Aldana, and she made the most of it by defending her championship eight times in a row.

Priyadarshan G

Priyadarshan G

priyadarshan

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