“I Think I Am Done”: Emotional Amanda Nunes Recalls Harrowing Loss to Juliana Pena Ahead of Brazilian’s Next Fight at UFC 289 Against Irene Aldana

UFC double champion Amanda Nunes is preparing for her first fight in 2023 against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. She was initially set to face Julianna Pena in a trilogy fight, but ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ had to withdraw due to a rib injury. Meanwhile, Nunes recently appeared in a sit-down interview with Jon Anik and revealed the moment when she decided to quit MMA.

Nunes is arguably the greatest female fighter ever in the history of the UFC. She achieved everything in the promotion while spending a decade with the world’s biggest MMA platform. However, there was a moment when she felt like quitting the sport.

Amanda Nunes once considered retiring from MMA

After suffering her first UFC loss against Cat Zingano, ‘The Lioness’ went on an incredible 12-fight winning streak. During that undefeated run, Nunes captured the women’s bantamweight and featherweight titles and became the first woman to ever do so. Then came Julianna Pena. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ had a great showing at UFC 269 and defeated Nunes via submission to win the bantamweight championship.

While speaking to Jon Anik, ‘The Lioness’ opened up about what transpired later. She said, “I was very confused. Losing my belt was crazy, but at the same time, I know I was sad. You know, something was wrong. It looked like not real for me.”

Amanda Nunes couldn’t believe she lost the title after such an impressive run. ‘The Lioness’ mentioned that she had a conversation with the then-coach, Din Thomas, and told him that she wanted to quit fighting. “Actually, I saw Din right there in the arena outside and I give him a hug. I look at him and say like, ‘I think I am done.’ And then we look at each other, and he looks, ‘Are you sure? Ok, call me later,'” said the double champion.

‘The Lioness’ didn’t want to leave her title with Julianna Pena

Nunes mentioned that while driving back home after her loss, she was trying to put the pieces together. She was understandably upset after months of preparation that only resulted in a loss. She said, “I drove back home, and I was putting my thoughts together. Everything, what I went through, going through that camp, everything that I was upset about and I was sad for a couple moments in the camp.”

After her loss, she and her partner Nina Nunes decided to leave the American Top Team and open their own gym. The double champion also explained how she regained the title by training in her own gym and refusing to let Pena have the title. Nunes added, “When I put everything together and me and Nina were talking like, ‘I cannot leave my belt with Julianna.”

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When Nunes defeated Pena at UFC 277, she went on to become a two-time bantamweight champion and has held the title since then. However, she will look forward to meeting Irene Aldana, who has racked up four wins in her last five fights. We will have to see how things pan out.

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