One of the main names in Brazilian MMA, Amanda Nunes made history in the UFC, conquered everything she could and ended her reign in an overwhelming way
Amanda Nunes was the Lioness of Brazil for a decade in UFC. There have been 18 fights since his debut with the company, only two defeats and 16 wins that can’t get out of the mind of MMA fans. But every reign comes to an end and it couldn’t be any different with the 35-year-old Brazilian, who was born in Salvador and fought like no one else to get her place in a predominantly male sport.
Amanda Nunes was not just a Lioness, a nickname that came due to her fierce posture inside the UFC octagons. She was a winner, a protagonist, an exponent for women, especially Brazilian women, to dream of one day being among the greatest in the world. Including, it doesn’t take much effort to say that she is easily in a top-5 of the greatest fighters in history, who say that she was even the best that ever existed.
There is no doubt: the @Amanda_Leoa is GIANT and left his mark on the sport! #UFC289
[ Reveja o evento completo no @UFCFightPassBR ➡️ https://t.co/iAvMFO4Ruy ]
— UFC Brasil (@UFCBrasil) June 12, 2023
And no less. 16 wins in 18 UFC fights, 23 wins since the beginning of his career and only five defeats in total. The numbers show how unbeatable she was. All that ferocity that made her champion of two UFC belts was shown in the fight last Saturday, 10th, against Irena Aldana. Punches, kicks, submissions and lots of blood. A high-level farewell that just wasn’t awarded a knockout.
As much as the fans who were present at UFC 289 didn’t know it, it was possible to know that there, in every punch, kick or even a more elastic blow, there was something different. Be it in strength, in the look of a lion ready to devour its prey or even in tears after the fight. The end of an era was near and it was announced right after his crushing victory against Irene Aldana. And it couldn’t be any different, the announcement came from her own mouth, without anyone stopping her.
“Today I tie Anderson Silva’s record (for belt defenses) and it’s the perfect night to retire and live happily ever after. My mom has been asking me to do this a lot for a while, she can’t take it anymore. Nina (Nunes) too, she went through this her entire career. I’m still young to enjoy everything I’ve built. I need to spend more time with my family in Brazil. When I became double champion it was unbelievable. I come from a small town in Brazil, Pojuca, where nobody knows where it is. Brazilian fighters, pack your things and come here. Come win more titles!“, vented after his historic victory at UFC 289.
Amanda Nunes leaves a legacy in the UFC and records that only fighters considered extraterrestrials could achieve. The Brazilian leaves MMA with the bantamweight and featherweight belts, in addition to all the respect she managed to achieve with a lot of sweat and blood from everyone who followed the sport and Leao’s achievements closely.
Source: sportbuzz
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
