Amanda Nunes has left the building.
Nunes announced her retirement after dominating Irene Aldana to retain her women's bantamweight title at UFC 289 in Vancouver on Saturday. Nunes, arguably the greatest women's fighter in history, has the unique distinction of retiring as a two-division champion as she still holds the featherweight crown as well.
The champ-champ washed over Aldana at UFC 289, marking the first and last defense of her second stint as UFC women's bantamweight champion.
Nunes grew stronger with each passing round as the Mexican-born challenger started to wither. Nunes mixed up boxing, kicks and wrestling with great effect. Hard blows landed in Round 4 and a one-sided wrestling display in Round 5 earned her a pair of 10-8 scorecards on one judges' sheet. The final tally read 50-44, 50-44 and 50-43.
Nunes retires as the most prolific fighter in women's MMA history and one of the greatest fighters, regardless of gender. She won the UFC women's bantamweight championship twice and the women's featherweight title once. Nunes defeated legends of the sport like Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm and Valentina Shevchenko (twice). She retires with a 23-5 pro record.
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Nunes' departure from the UFC leaves the Brazilian fans without a world champion. Nunes challenged her fellow Brazilian fighters to receive the torch from her.
"Brazilian fighters, get your shit together!" Nunes said in her post-fight interview. "I believe in you!"
Mexico was on a remarkable run leading into UFC 289. Mexican-born fighter Brandon Moreno, Alexa Grasso and Yair Rodriguez all won UFC championships in 2023. Aldana's poor performance broke that streak.
Elsewhere on the card, Charles Oliveira reminded everyone why he's a former champion and rising challenger once more. Oliveira took out Beneil Dariush in the opening round of their co-main event to secure his rematch with Islam Makhachev, who took the lightweight title off of him. Oliveira has been on an incredible run himself with big wins abound and now he likely gets a chance to right a wrong in his next appearance.
CBS Sports was with you the entire way on Saturday bringing you all the results and highlights from the UFC 289 below.
UFC 289 card and results
- Amanda Nunes def. Irene Aldana via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-43)
- Charles Oliveira def. Beneil Dariush via first-round TKO (punches)
- Mike Malott def. Adam Fugitt via second-round submission (guillotine choke)
- Dan Ige def. Nate Landwehr via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Marc-Andre Barriault def. Eryk Anders via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Nassourdine Imavov vs. Chris Curtis ruled a no contest due to an accidental headbutt
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Aiemann Zahabi def. Aoriqileng via first-round knockout (punch)
- Kyle Nelson def. Blake Bilder via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Steve Erceg def. David Dvorak via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Diana Belbita def. Maria Oliveira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)