The cutman was asked to remove her gloves before Amanda Nunes placed her two UFC championship belts on the Octagon mat. She kneeled down, placed her gloves in the middle of the two titles, and wept into the canvas.
At UFC 289 on Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the greatest female fighter of all time made the announcement of her retirement following one of her most dominant performances in a long time.
"Twofold hero always," Nunes said. " The ideal time to retire is now."
In the main event of the pay-per-view card, Nunes defeated Irene Aldana by unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 50-44) in a comprehensive performance in which Nunes won nearly every minute. Nunes successfully upheld her UFC women's bantamweight title with the victory. She is likewise the UFC ladies' featherweight champion. What's more, obviously she will clear the two belts in retirement.
Aldana served as an extra opponent. On Saturday, former champion Julianna Pea was supposed to fight Nunes in a trilogy bout, but she had to pull out because she had broken her ribs.
Nunes quickly responded when asked in the post-fight news conference what she hoped to be remembered most for.
The greatest ever," Nunes declared. I did everything. I set numerous records."
Nunes said she knew when she consented to the session arrangement to battle Aldana that it would be the last battle of her vocation. But she didn't want to talk about it until she finished the job.
Nunes stated, "I just didn't want to focus on that." Concentrate on my fight. I would rather not continue looking at resigning constantly."
Concerning what's straightaway, Nunes said she anticipates returning a long break and making a beeline for her local Brazil for a period. She said that she has been dealing with nerve damage in both legs, which happens every time she fights. In a typical scene following a fight, Nunes entered the news conference Saturday night on crutches.
However, Nunes stated that she would return to her South Florida gym, Lioness Studio, and become a coach following that break. She stated that she is too passionate about the sport to leave.
Nunes stated, "I have my gym." I have a few women there. I would love to assist them in seeing [MMA achievements]. I can offer a lot. I've won two championships, so I know a lot. I will also be able to create a female champion. In the event that I truly work with one young lady, I can make her a boss. Everything about this game is known to me."
Dana White, the head of the UFC, said that he "wasn't surprised" that Nunes decided to retire because of how much money she has made and how much her life has changed in the past decade.
White stated at the news conference following the fight, "This must be what Amanda wants." I'm certainly glad for her. Might I want to see her keep close by and do some more? Absolutely. I adore the child. It has been a pleasure to work with her. She has been such a great advocate and human being."
White went on to say that the UFC women's featherweight division and title, which don't have any depth, would "probably" be retired when Nunes left.
In her previous fight, Nunes (23-5) defeated Pea by unanimous decision to reclaim the bantamweight title at UFC 277 in July 2022. At UFC 269 in December 2021, Pea ended Nunes' UFC women's record-breaking 12-fight winning streak and title reign.
Nunes, 35, has won 16 matches in her UFC career; the most UFC title battle wins among ladies ever (11, tied for the fourth-most in UFC history, paying little heed to orientation, with Anderson Silva); as well as the most victories among women in UFC history (10). The longtime resident of Florida has defeated Holly Holm, Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and every other competitor who has held the UFC women's featherweight and bantamweight titles. She also has two victories over another all-time great, Valentina Shevchenko, who used to be the women's flyweight champion in the UFC.
Aldana (14-6) entered the fight having won two of her previous nine fights and seven of her previous two. The Mexican-conceived warrior had completed her latest three successes by means of KO/technical knockout. Aldana, 35, is 7-5 in UFC fights.
Nunes dominated the UFC for ten years, going 16-2.
Nunes outlanded Aldana 142-41 in critical strikes. ESPN Stats & Information says that was the most significant blow Nunes has ever delivered in a UFC fight.
Pea, a fierce rival of Nunes, took a swipe at Nunes on Twitter, first praising her but then asking why she quit before they finished their trilogy fight. Nunes laughed it off and stated that she would not have retired Saturday if Pea were her opponent.
Nunes stated, "I was supposed to beat her tonight again." I wouldn't retire tonight if it were Julianna Pea. I wanted to retire after fighting a person I had never seen before."
At last, Nunes said she could never have been more joyful with the manner in which everything worked out. In the news conference, she was asked about her favorite moment, but she couldn't pick just one.
"The kick [knockout] against Holly Holm was a decent one, as well," Nunes said. " the battle with Ronda Rousey. The Cyborg battle. Amazing was tonight. How many? I'm just extremely grateful and happy. And it came to an end just the way I wanted."
