“Forever the women’s combat GOAT” – MMA community bids adieu to ‘GOAT’ Amanda Nunes after retirement as two-division champion at UFC 289

Amanda Nunes dominated Irene Aldana for all five rounds to retain her title. She announced her retirement in the post-fight interview.

“Forever the women’s combat GOAT” – MMA community bids adieu to ‘GOAT’ Amanda Nunes after retirement as two-division champion at UFC 289

Amanda Nunes put on a dominant performance at UFC 289 (Image Courtesy - The Independent)

“The Lioness” Amanda Nunes took on a new challenger in Irene Aldana at UFC 289. It was her first title defense in her second reign as the women’s bantamweight champion. The bout took place in Canada. UFC returned to Canada after four years. The last time UFC put on a PPV card in Canada happened before Covid-19.  

Amanda Nunes lost her bantamweight title at the end of 2021 in a massive upset against Julianna Pena. However, in 2022, she regained the title with a dominant performance against Pena. Mexican fighter Irene Aldana became the next in line for the title after Pena backed out of a trilogy bout with Nunes due to injury. Heading into the bout, Aldana aimed to become the next Mexican UFC champion in history.

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When the fight started, Nunes utilized her well-rounded skillset to start her offense. In the first round, Aldana only managed to land less than ten punches. The approach became similar in the subsequent rounds as well. To win the rounds, Nunes pressured her opponent with striking, grappling, and kicking. Aldana managed to land some significant strikes here and there. However, it did not amount to much.

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Aldana had no answer for the kicks and grappling of Nunes. Even though Julianna Pena got dominated in her second fight with Nunes, she put up more of a fight than Aldana did at UFC 289. Nunes won the fight on the scorecard. Irene Aldana failed in her attempt to become the fourth Mexican fighter to hold the UFC gold. After the fight, Nunes announced her decision to walk away from the sport of MMA. She has made an everlasting impact as a fighter.

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Fans react to Amanda Nunes vs Irene Aldana at UFC 289 and the retirement of Nunes

Amanda Nunes retired at UFC 289
Amanda Nunes retired at UFC 289 (Image Courtesy – MMA News)

UFC 289 returned to Canada after four years. Fans were thrilled to attend the event. Legendary fighter George St-Pierre attended the event and picked Amanda Nunes to win the bout. As GSP’s prediction, Nunes destroyed Irene Aldana for all five rounds and won a decision. Nunes also announced her decision to retire from the sport. Fans went on Twitter to react to the fight and the result. Check out some of the fan reactions:

https://twitter.com/SrhanAmeer/status/1667759964184518657

Nunes has made the case for being the greatest female fighter ever. She decided to walk away from the sport after an astonishing career. On the other hand, Aldana must improve massively if she wants another crack at the title.

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