A. Nunes hangs her gloves next to her belts (Photo: Twitter/@ufc)
End of an era. The main fight of UFC 289 ended up in the background on Saturday night (10). After beating Irene aldana for five rounds and successfully defend the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2kg), the Brazilian Amanda nunes announced his retirement from the sport alongside his wife Nina and daughter Reagan. The fighter from Bahia received a standing ovation from Dana White, Daniel Cormier and a good part of the audience present at Rogers Arena, in Vancouver, Canada (CAN).
The duel against Aldana was Amanda's first title defense in her new reign, after regaining the title against Julianna Pena, in July 2022. Queen of the bantamweight and featherweight divisions (up to 65,7kg), the 'Lione' retires from the sport with an incredible record of 23 wins and five losses and with important triumphs over names like Ronda Rousey, Holly holm, Chris Cyborg e Valentina Shevchenko (twice).
Number five in the under-61,2kg division ranking, Irene is once again defeated after two consecutive victories and now has an MMA record of 14 positive results and seven negative results.
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THE FIGHT
Amanda started the fight by throwing two low kicks at Aldana, who tried to respond but threw them into space. The Mexican tried to get closer and was repelled with more kicks. With a smaller size, Amanda found it difficult but managed to land good jabs on her rival. Amanda took advantage of a gap in her rival's guard and hit an upper that was countered by a cross that rocked the Brazilian. The bell sounded decreeing the end of the first round.
Amanda came back more aggressive for the second round and landed a good sequence of jabs on Aldana. Amanda attempted a takedown to confuse Irene and landed a straight shot on the Mexican. The 'Lione' continued to insist on low kicks and punished her rival's leg. Aldana tried to explode but ended up being trapped in the clinch and taking a knee to the face from the champion. Amanda ended the round by landing a beautiful upper, followed by a cross that rocked the Mexican.
The third part started with Amanda more restrained and waiting for Irene who moved further forward trying to corner the champion. Quickly, the 'Leoa' went into a takedown, took down the Mexican and landed on top in her guard. Strategically, Amanda 'calmed' the fight and kept the Mexican pinned to the ground with elbows and punches. Aldana tried to get up but was soon knocked down again. Irene got up once again, however, the Lioness performed a beautiful takedown and fell, looking for her opponent's neck. The champion made the transition and tried to catch the arm, but Irene quickly got up and the two returned to the center of the cage. In the final seconds of the round, Aldana landed good jabs but was soon answered by the champion with a cross and a straight shot.
Aldana tried to explode in the opening seconds of the fourth round and received a spectacular elbow from the champion, who continued with a good combination that landed cleanly in the challenger's face. Irene continued walking forward but was always stopped by a counter blow from the champion. Nunes took advantage of an oversight by Irene and landed two consecutive right crosses. A few seconds later, Amanda repeated the same combination, followed by a spinning elbow.
Amanda started the last round looking for a takedown and received a knee against it, however, without much force. The Lioness managed to get on top of Aldana in her guard and began to punish her rival with a barrage of elbows using ground and pound. Even though she won comfortably, the champion continued to show momentum and continued to mistreat her opponent with punches and elbows from above. The Mexican, already quite tired, seemed surrendered and without the strength to get up. The Lioness attempted a submission but Aldana escaped. The bell sounded with the Brazilian still punishing the Mexican on the ground.
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