Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Amanda Nunes

How Amanda Nunes built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Amanda Nunes is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, renowned for her achievements in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is a former UFC Women's Featherweight Champion and a two-time UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. Notably, Nunes achieved the top spot in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings in 2022, solidifying her status as one of the sport's leading figures.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

March 8, 2008: Professional MMA Debut

On March 8, 2008, Amanda Nunes made her professional debut at Prime MMA Championship 2, facing Ana Maria. She was defeated by armbar submission in the first round.

2008: Gold Medal at Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship

In 2008, Amanda Nunes won a gold medal at the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship as a blue belt.

2009: Gold Medal at World Jiu-Jitsu Championship

In 2009, Amanda Nunes won a gold medal at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship as a purple belt.

January 7, 2011: Strikeforce Debut

On January 7, 2011, Amanda Nunes made her Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine in Nashville, Tennessee, defeating Julia Budd by knockout in just 14 seconds.

June 18, 2011: Bout Cancellation Due to Injury

On June 18, 2011, Amanda Nunes was scheduled to fight Julie Kedzie at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum in Dallas, Texas, but the bout was cancelled after Nunes sustained a foot injury.

September 10, 2011: Loss to Alexis Davis at Strikeforce

On September 10, 2011, Amanda Nunes fought Alexis Davis at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov and lost the fight via TKO in the second round after a strong start and subsequent exhaustion.

July 28, 2012: Victory against Raquel Pa'aluhi at Invicta FC 2

On July 28, 2012, Amanda Nunes fought Raquel Pa'aluhi at Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann, after Milana Dudieva and Leslie Smith withdrew. Nunes won via technical submission in the first round.

September 29, 2012: Strikeforce Fight Cancellation

On September 29, 2012, Amanda Nunes was scheduled to face Cat Zingano at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy, but the event was cancelled due to an injury sustained by Gilbert Melendez.

2012: World Champion of NAGA

In 2012, Amanda Nunes became a world champion of the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) in the lightweight and absolute divisions.

January 5, 2013: Loss to Sarah D'Alelio at Invicta FC 4

On January 5, 2013, Amanda Nunes returned to Invicta FC to face Sarah D'Alelio at Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt. Nunes lost the fight via unanimous decision.

April 5, 2013: Withdrawal from Invicta FC 5

On April 5, 2013, Amanda Nunes was scheduled to face Kaitlin Young at Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson, but she withdrew due to an arm injury.

August 3, 2013: UFC Debut Against Sheila Gaff

On August 3, 2013, Amanda Nunes made her Octagon debut against Sheila Gaff at UFC 163 in Brazil. She won the fight via TKO in the first round.

November 6, 2013: Victory Against Germaine de Randamie at UFC Fight Night 31

On November 6, 2013, Amanda Nunes made her second UFC appearance when she faced Germaine de Randamie at UFC Fight Night 31. She won the fight via TKO in the first round.

September 27, 2014: Loss to Cat Zingano at UFC 178

On September 27, 2014, Amanda Nunes faced Cat Zingano at UFC 178. After nearly finishing Zingano in the first round, she lost via TKO in the third round.

March 21, 2015: Victory Against Shayna Baszler at UFC Fight Night 62

On March 21, 2015, Amanda Nunes faced Shayna Baszler at UFC Fight Night 62. She won the fight via TKO in the first round.

August 8, 2015: Victory Against Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 73

On August 8, 2015, Amanda Nunes faced Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 73. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

March 5, 2016: Victory Against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 196

On March 5, 2016, Amanda Nunes faced Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 196. She won the fight by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–27, and 29–27).

July 9, 2016: UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship Win

On July 9, 2016, Amanda Nunes faced Miesha Tate at UFC 200 for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship and won by submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round, becoming the first openly gay UFC champion.

December 30, 2016: First Title Defense Against Ronda Rousey

On December 30, 2016, Amanda Nunes made her first title defense against Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 and won the fight via TKO in the first round.

July 8, 2017: UFC 213 Fight Cancellation

On July 8, 2017, Amanda Nunes was scheduled to face Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 213, but was hospitalized the morning of the fight with chronic sinusitis and the fight was cancelled.

May 12, 2018: Victory Against Raquel Pennington at UFC 224

On May 12, 2018, Amanda Nunes faced Raquel Pennington at UFC 224 and won the fight via TKO in round five. This was the first UFC event headlined by two openly gay fighters.

December 29, 2018: UFC Women's Featherweight Championship Win

On December 29, 2018, Amanda Nunes moved up in weight to face Cris Cyborg for the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship at UFC 232. Nunes knocked Cyborg out in the first round to become the new champion, making her the first woman in UFC to hold championship belts in different divisions simultaneously, earning her the Performance of the Night award.

July 6, 2019: Title Defense Against Holly Holm at UFC 239

On July 6, 2019, Amanda Nunes defended her bantamweight title against Holly Holm at UFC 239. She won the fight via knockout in round one, earning her the Performance of the Night award.

December 14, 2019: Victory Against Germaine de Randamie at UFC 245

On December 14, 2019, Amanda Nunes faced Germaine de Randamie in a rematch at UFC 245 to defend her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship. She won the fight via unanimous decision, marking her seventh win in women's title fights in the UFC.

May 9, 2020: UFC 250 Postponement

On May 9, 2020, Amanda Nunes was expected to face Felicia Spencer at UFC 250. However, on April 9, Dana White announced that the event was postponed.

June 6, 2020: Victory Against Felicia Spencer at UFC 250

On June 6, 2020, Amanda Nunes faced Felicia Spencer at UFC 250 and won via unanimous decision (50–44, 50–44, and 50–45).

December 2020: Featherweight Title Fight Postponement

In December 2020, Amanda Nunes was expected to defend her featherweight title against Megan Anderson at UFC 256, but the bout was postponed due to an undisclosed injury.

March 6, 2021: Victory Against Megan Anderson at UFC 259

On March 6, 2021, Amanda Nunes faced Megan Anderson at UFC 259 and won the fight via triangle armbar in round one.

August 7, 2021: UFC 265 Fight Cancellation

On August 7, 2021, Amanda Nunes was expected to defend her bantamweight title at UFC 265 against Julianna Peña, but Nunes tested positive for COVID-19 on July 29 and the bout was cancelled.

December 11, 2021: Loss of Bantamweight Championship to Julianna Peña at UFC 269

On December 11, 2021, Amanda Nunes faced Julianna Peña at UFC 269. After dominating the first round, Nunes was submitted via rear-naked choke in the second round, losing her bantamweight championship.

February 5, 2022: Announcement as Coach for The Ultimate Fighter 30

On February 5, 2022, it was announced that Amanda Nunes and Julianna Peña would be the coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 30 at ESPN+, featuring heavyweight and women's flyweight contestants.

July 30, 2022: Recaptured UFC Women's Bantamweight Title

On July 30, 2022, Amanda Nunes recaptured the UFC Women's Bantamweight title in a rematch against Julianna Peña at UFC 277. She won by unanimous decision and became the first person in UFC history to become double champ twice and received a US$30,000 "Fan Bonus of the Night" paid in bitcoin.

2022: Ranked #1 in UFC Women's Pound-for-Pound Rankings

In 2022, Amanda Nunes was ranked #1 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.

May 2, 2023: Peña Injury and Aldana Replacement

On May 2, 2023, it was announced that Julianna Peña suffered broken ribs during training camp and would be unable to compete against Amanda Nunes at UFC 289. Irene Aldana agreed to replace Peña at the event.

June 10, 2023: Retirement Announcement after Victory at UFC 289

On June 10, 2023, Amanda Nunes won against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 via unanimous decision. Nunes announced her retirement from active competition during the post-fight interview.

June 5, 2025: Return to UFC Announced

On June 5, 2025, after spending two years in retirement, Amanda Nunes announced that she would be returning to UFC against the winner of Kayla Harrison vs. Julianna Peña.