Amanda Nunes Will Enter the UFC Hall of Fame and Flirts with a Return
UFC’s former featherweight and bantamweight champion, Amanda Nunes, will be inducted into the modern wing of the UFC Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place during International Fight Week in Las Vegas on June 26.
The announcement, made during the broadcast of UFC 314, coincides with Nunes’ hints about her possible return to the octagon.
Nunes, 36, reacted with surprise and tears at the news. Later, she revealed that her time away from the sport might be coming to an end.
I was surprised. I didn’t expect it at all. I love this sport. I love the fight, and I miss it so much. Honestly, it’s hard for me to be away. I tried everything. I tried training, maybe doing this and that, but I’m a fighter, you know? I’m a lioness. I can’t be away from this sport, and I’m ready to come back, but tonight was amazing.
Amanda Nunes
Originally from Pojuca, Bahia, Brazil, Nunes is a veteran with 15 years of experience. Her rise began in 2016, when she submitted Miesha Tate at UFC 200, becoming the women’s bantamweight champion. Then, she defended her title by knocking out Ronda Rousey.
Nunes added another title by knocking out Cris Cyborg and obtaining the featherweight championship, becoming the first woman to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. She is also the first and only UFC fighter to defend titles in two divisions at the same time.
Nunes holds the UFC women’s records for most title fight wins (11), most finishes (10), and most consecutive wins (12).
He retired on June 10, 2023, after defending his 135-pound title against Irene Aldana.
However, Nunes, considered the best female fighter of all time, seems to believe her retirement was premature. With a possible headlining matchup against Kayla Harrison, who will face Julianna Peña for the bantamweight title at UFC 316, the opportunity to conquer a new challenge could be drawing her back to the sport.
I feel like everything Kayla Harrison did motivated me. She entered the UFC and that was a big deal. She used to talk about me all the time in interviews, and then I said, ‘You know what? I don’t have any injuries, I’m fine. I’m still training, I’m still healthy, why not? It’s a good challenge, and my whole career has been driven by challenges. I love that feeling.
Amanda Nunes
