Amanda Nunes Considering Retirement: ‘I’ve Achieved Everything I Wanted’

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

In a recent interview with a Brazilian television show, the women’s double champ sounds like she’s seriously considering hanging up her gloves.

Have we seen the last of Amanda Nunes in the Octagon?

That may be the case. Following a dominant one sided win over Felicia Spencer at UFC 250 earlier in June, the double champ and undeniable women’s GOAT is talking about retirement.

“Ah, I don’t know, I’ve achieved everything I wanted,” Nunes recently told Esporte Espetacular (translation via MMA Fighting). “I’m well, I can go on with my life, maybe a new step, maybe find new talents, help some girls there…maybe be a coach, too.”

“I’m in a moment that I can retire, you know, and I’m in a moment that I can fight. I’m fine. There’s nothing else to be done right now in the division. The Hall of Fame will come, for sure. My life going forward, if I do stop now, the UFC will give me every support I need to continue having my money and work.”

That’s an interesting perspective to take considering how many other fighters past and present are currently railing against the UFC for not paying them enough through their careers. Nunes as well had several squabbles with the promotion on her way to becoming the women’s bantamweight and featherweight champ, so she knows how fickle the promotion can be with athletes considered outside their small circle of loyal soldiers.

At this point, a nice non-controversial champion retirement with no indication that pay is involved may actually earn her some appreciation from UFC brass. An opportunity to shutter the stalled 145 pound division. More oxygen for the women coming up at 135 pounds. And if she gets the itch to come back in two or three years to face the inevitable new queen of the division? You know ‘retirement’ is a very flexible word in mixed martial arts.

And that’s something we’re sure the UFC would support, at least.

Following her title defense at UFC 251, Nunes said she planned on taking the rest of 2020 off to prepare for the arrival of the baby she’s having with her wife and fellow UFC fighter Nina Ansaroff. So she’s got a lot of time to think things over … and one more big reason to hang up her gloves.