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 retired Brazilian mixed martial artist, renowned for her dominance in the UFC. She held both the UFC Women's Featherweight and Bantamweight titles, being a two-time Bantamweight Champion. Nunes retired as the #1 ranked female pound-for-pound UFC fighter, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest female MMA fighters of all time.

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 MMA debut at Prime MMA Championship 2, facing Ana Maria and losing by armbar submission in the first round.

2008: Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Gold Medal

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

2009: World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Gold Medal

In 2009, Amanda Nunes won the 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: Strikeforce Bout Cancellation

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: Fight against Alexis Davis

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

July 28, 2012: Invicta FC 2 Fight

On July 28, 2012, Amanda Nunes fought Raquel Pa'aluhi at Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann, winning via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round, after original opponents withdrew.

September 29, 2012: Strikeforce Bout 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: NAGA World Champion

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

January 5, 2013: Invicta FC 4 Fight

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

April 5, 2013: Invicta FC 5 Withdrawal

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

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

November 6, 2013: UFC Fight Night 31 Victory

On November 6, 2013, Amanda Nunes made her second UFC appearance against Germaine de Randamie at UFC Fight Night 31, winning the fight via TKO in the first round.

September 27, 2014: UFC 178 Fight against Cat Zingano

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

March 21, 2015: UFC Fight Night 62 Victory

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

August 8, 2015: UFC Fight Night 73 Victory

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

March 5, 2016: UFC 196 Victory

On March 5, 2016, Amanda Nunes faced Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 196 and won the fight by unanimous decision.

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

On July 9, 2016, Amanda Nunes faced Miesha Tate for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship at UFC 200 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, winning 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 for her second title defense, but the fight was cancelled due to Nunes being hospitalized with chronic sinusitis.

May 12, 2018: UFC 224 Victory

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 Victory

On December 29, 2018, Amanda Nunes faced Cris Cyborg at UFC 232 for the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship, winning by knockout in the first round and becoming the first woman in UFC to hold championship belts in two different divisions simultaneously. She also earned Performance of the Night award.

July 6, 2019: UFC 239 Victory

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

December 14, 2019: UFC 245 Victory

On December 14, 2019, Amanda Nunes faced Germaine de Randamie in a rematch at UFC 245, defending her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship and winning via unanimous decision. This marked her seventh win in women's title fights in the UFC.

May 9, 2020: UFC 250 Postponement

On May 9, 2020, Amanda Nunes's expected fight against Felicia Spencer at UFC 250 was postponed; Dana White announced the postponement on April 9.

June 6, 2020: UFC 250 Victory

On June 6, 2020, Amanda Nunes faced Felicia Spencer at UFC 250 and won via unanimous decision.

December 2020: UFC 256 Fight Postponement

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

March 6, 2021: UFC 259 Victory

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 against Julianna Peña at UFC 265, but the bout was cancelled after Nunes tested positive for COVID-19 on July 29.

December 11, 2021: UFC 269 Loss

On December 11, 2021, Amanda Nunes faced Julianna Peña at UFC 269 and lost her bantamweight championship via rear-naked choke, in a massive upset.

February 5, 2022: The Ultimate Fighter 30 Coaches

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

July 30, 2022: UFC 277 Victory

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

May 2, 2023: Peña Injury

On May 2, 2023, it was announced that Julianna Peña suffered broken ribs during training camp and would be unable to compete at UFC 289.

June 10, 2023: UFC 289 Win and Retirement

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