Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Retires following masterclass
Nunes retained her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Irene Aldana via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-43) at UFC 289 in Vancouver. She retired following the fight.
ANALYSIS
That was way too easy. This fight was so lopsided it felt as if Nunes could have ended it any time she wanted. Full marks to Aldana for absorbing a beating and a half en route to seeing the final bell. Irene essentially served as a punching bag for Nunes for 25 minutes. Amanda landed a takedown here and there, but also passed up multiple opportunities to get this fight to the ground, instead preferring to hammer Irene on the feet. As Daniel Cormier correctly pointed out during the broadcast, Amanda's greatest struggles have come in fights with a crazy high pace in which she couldn't control the narrative. Aldana standing around and letting Nunes lead the dance played right into the latter's hands. Of course, all this is secondary to Nunes' shocking retirement announcement following her win. She left both of her belts and her gloves in the center of the Octagon. It's always fair to wonder whether or not these retirement announcements will stick considering we have seen so many fighters return in recent years, but Amanda seemed genuinely overjoyed after making the announcement, celebrating with her team and family. Nunes turned 35 years of age this past May and has accomplished everything there is to do in this sport. Married with a young daughter, "The Lioness" seems happy with her decision and will step aside as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time.
That was way too easy. This fight was so lopsided it felt as if Nunes could have ended it any time she wanted. Full marks to Aldana for absorbing a beating and a half en route to seeing the final bell. Irene essentially served as a punching bag for Nunes for 25 minutes. Amanda landed a takedown here and there, but also passed up multiple opportunities to get this fight to the ground, instead preferring to hammer Irene on the feet. As Daniel Cormier correctly pointed out during the broadcast, Amanda's greatest struggles have come in fights with a crazy high pace in which she couldn't control the narrative. Aldana standing around and letting Nunes lead the dance played right into the latter's hands. Of course, all this is secondary to Nunes' shocking retirement announcement following her win. She left both of her belts and her gloves in the center of the Octagon. It's always fair to wonder whether or not these retirement announcements will stick considering we have seen so many fighters return in recent years, but Amanda seemed genuinely overjoyed after making the announcement, celebrating with her team and family. Nunes turned 35 years of age this past May and has accomplished everything there is to do in this sport. Married with a young daughter, "The Lioness" seems happy with her decision and will step aside as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time.
Enters title defense as favorite
Nunes enters fight week as approximately a (-325) betting favorite for Saturday's UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship title defense against Irene Aldana.
ANALYSIS
Nunes got her belt back from Julianna Pena last July and was originally set to settle the score in a trilogy fight, but Pena was forced to withdraw with a ribs injury. In steps Aldana, a high-volume striker who earned this opportunity on the back of four victories in her last five trips to the cage. While Aldana has higher striking volume than the champion, statistically, defense can be an issue, as she absorbs more than twice the significant strikes as Nunes does on a per-minute basis. Nunes also has much greater offensive wrestling and grappling tools in her arsenal, so it's no surprise she's entering as a sizable favorite.
Nunes got her belt back from Julianna Pena last July and was originally set to settle the score in a trilogy fight, but Pena was forced to withdraw with a ribs injury. In steps Aldana, a high-volume striker who earned this opportunity on the back of four victories in her last five trips to the cage. While Aldana has higher striking volume than the champion, statistically, defense can be an issue, as she absorbs more than twice the significant strikes as Nunes does on a per-minute basis. Nunes also has much greater offensive wrestling and grappling tools in her arsenal, so it's no surprise she's entering as a sizable favorite.
Fighting new opponent
Nunes will defend her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 on June 10, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nunes was originally intended to fight Julianna Pena for the third straight championship fight, but broken ribs for Pena will end the trilogy. Nunes will have a one-inch reach advantage on Aldana, but her 51 percent significant striking accuracy should give her a leg-up.
Nunes was originally intended to fight Julianna Pena for the third straight championship fight, but broken ribs for Pena will end the trilogy. Nunes will have a one-inch reach advantage on Aldana, but her 51 percent significant striking accuracy should give her a leg-up.
Defending title versus Pena
UFC president Dana White confirmed Friday that Nunes will defend her bantamweight title against Julianna Pena at UFC 289 on June 10, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Nunes was lined up to face Irene Aldana last month before negotiations fell apart back in January, and a third matchup with Pena is now on the schedule. Pena delivered a major upset by taking the title from Nunes in December of 2021, but Nunes responded by reclaiming the belt in dominant fashion via unanimous decision last summer.
Nunes was lined up to face Irene Aldana last month before negotiations fell apart back in January, and a third matchup with Pena is now on the schedule. Pena delivered a major upset by taking the title from Nunes in December of 2021, but Nunes responded by reclaiming the belt in dominant fashion via unanimous decision last summer.
Fight with Aldana falls apart
Nunes won't defend her UFC Bantamweight title against Irene Aldana at UFC 285 on March 4 as the two sides were unable to reach an agreement, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nunes defeated Julianna Pena in July to reclaim the UFC Bantamweight belt, but her title defense in March won't happen as previously expected after a breakdown in negotiations. Pena is apparently angling for a rematch, which Nunes has rejected. It remains to be seen when exactly any of the three fighters will re-enter the Octagon.
Nunes defeated Julianna Pena in July to reclaim the UFC Bantamweight belt, but her title defense in March won't happen as previously expected after a breakdown in negotiations. Pena is apparently angling for a rematch, which Nunes has rejected. It remains to be seen when exactly any of the three fighters will re-enter the Octagon.