What Happened to Amanda Lourenço Nunes?
Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, retired from the UFC in June 2023 as a double-champion. After a brief retirement, she announced her comeback in June 2025, citing struggles with anxiety and a lack of purpose, and is now slated to face Kayla Harrison for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship in November 2026.
Quick Answer
Amanda Nunes, the former two-division UFC champion, initially retired from mixed martial arts in June 2023 after a dominant victory at UFC 289. However, she announced her return to the sport in June 2025, driven by a desire to compete and overcome post-retirement anxiety. She is currently preparing for a highly anticipated UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship bout against Kayla Harrison, which has been postponed multiple times and is now targeted for November 14, 2026, at UFC 334.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Wins UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship
Amanda Nunes defeated Miesha Tate via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round at UFC 200 to become the UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, marking her first UFC title.
Defeats Ronda Rousey
Nunes successfully defended her bantamweight title against returning superstar Ronda Rousey, winning via TKO in just 48 seconds at UFC 207.
Becomes Double Champion
Nunes made history at UFC 232 by knocking out Cris Cyborg in 51 seconds to win the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship, becoming the first female two-division champion in UFC history.
Loses Bantamweight Title to Julianna Peña
Nunes suffered a shocking upset loss to Julianna Peña via submission (rear-naked choke) in the second round at UFC 269, losing her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
Regains Bantamweight Title
In a rematch at UFC 277, Nunes dominated Julianna Peña to win a five-round unanimous decision, reclaiming her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
Retires from MMA as Double Champion
After a dominant unanimous decision victory over Irene Aldana at UFC 289, Amanda Nunes announced her retirement from mixed martial arts, vacating both her bantamweight and featherweight titles.
Becomes a U.S. Citizen
Amanda Nunes obtained her United States citizenship in 2025.
Hints at Comeback, Citing Post-Retirement Struggles
Nunes opened up about experiencing anxiety and a lack of purpose during her retirement, hinting at a potential return to the octagon.
Announces Return to UFC
After two years in retirement, Nunes officially announced her return to the UFC, stating her intention to fight the winner of the Kayla Harrison vs. Julianna Peña bout.
Inducted into UFC Hall of Fame
Amanda Nunes was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Modern Wing during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, celebrating her illustrious career.
Scheduled Fight vs. Kayla Harrison Postponed (UFC 324)
Nunes was scheduled to fight Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight championship at UFC 324, but Harrison withdrew due to herniated discs in her neck, postponing the highly anticipated bout.
Fight vs. Kayla Harrison Reportedly Postponed Again (UFC 331)
The rescheduled bout between Nunes and Harrison was reportedly linked to UFC 331 but was once again postponed.
Targeted Fight vs. Kayla Harrison (UFC 334)
As of September 2026, the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship fight between Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison is targeted for UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Amanda Lourenço Nunes, known as 'The Lioness,' established herself as a dominant force in mixed martial arts, becoming the first and only woman to achieve two-division champion status in the UFC, holding both the Bantamweight and Featherweight titles simultaneously. Her career is marked by victories over legendary fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest of all time.
Nunes announced her retirement from active competition on June 10, 2023, after successfully defending her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. She cited physical toll, including nerve damage in her legs and issues with her shoulders and knees, as primary reasons for stepping away from the sport. During her post-fight interview, she expressed a desire to spend more time with her wife, Nina Nunes, and their children.
However, the retirement proved to be temporary. In April 2025, Nunes publicly discussed her struggles with anxiety and a lack of purpose during her time away from the octagon, stating that she needed a goal to train for. This led to her announcement in June 2025 that she would be returning to the UFC, specifically targeting a fight against the winner of the Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison bout.
Her comeback fight was initially scheduled for January 24, 2026, at UFC 324 against Kayla Harrison, who had captured the bantamweight title from Julianna Peña. This highly anticipated matchup, dubbed a 'clash of legacies,' was postponed after Harrison withdrew due to herniated discs in her neck requiring surgery. The fight was reportedly linked to UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, but was again postponed.
As of September 20, 2026, Amanda Nunes is actively training and preparing for her rescheduled UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship fight against Kayla Harrison. The bout is now targeted for November 14, 2026, at UFC 334, to be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Nunes, who became a U.S. citizen in 2025, was also inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Modern Wing in June 2025, further cementing her place in MMA history while she prepares for her next chapter in the sport.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Amanda Lourenço Nunes made different choices?