Amanda Nunes was candid about not being ready to retire.
On June 10, Nunes returns to the Octagon for her 18th fight in the UFC. ‘The Lioness’ put on a world-class performance last time out against Julianna Pena, but questions are starting to rise about when she will retire.
During an interview with Jon Anik, the 34-year-old two-division UFC champion had this to say about not wanting to hang up the gloves:
“This is what I like to do, I love to be here. Sometimes I really think, oh my god, Nina, that day that I’m gonna retire is gonna come soon, but I don’t know if I’m ready to do this. This is what I like to do. All the process that I did to becoming who I am today, to just say bye is gonna take so much from me. I don’t know. That’s why I have to feel. I can’t tell you it’s gonna be the next one, I don’t know. I gotta feel, I gotta be ready.”
Before focusing on what’s next, Nunes is locked in for her upcoming bantamweight title defense in Vancouver, Canada. ‘The Lioness’ was scheduled to headline UFC 289 against Pena before the latter pulled out with a rib injury. Irene Aldana was chosen as a replacement, giving the reigning champion a new challenge and intriguing stylistic matchup.
Amanda Nunes discusses the possibility of fighting in Brazil again
In August 2013, Amanda Nunes made her UFC debut in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nunes didn’t take long to emerge as a potential title contender, defeating Sheila Gaff with a first-round TKO. Since then, ‘The Lioness’ hasn’t fought in Brazil again, which she hopes to do before retiring.
During the same interview with Jon Anik, Nunes had this to say about a potential return to Brazil:
“I’d love to [fight in Brazil again]. My debut in the UFC was there against Sheila Gaff. Why not go back there one more time or maybe the last time? You never know. I’m very excited, I hope the UFC can go back there. A lot of members of my family don’t have a visa to come here, so over there they have an opportunity to at least one time watch my fight.”
Amanda Nunes has separated herself as the greatest female fighter of all time. The 34-year-old holds a 15-2 UFC record, ten title wins, and ten finishes inside the Octagon. On June 10, she has another opportunity to further her legacy against Irene Aldana.
