Irene Aldana is not ready to hang her head following her UFC 289 loss to Amanda Nunes.
UFC 289 saw one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time hang up her gloves. Bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes retired from mixed martial arts following her unanimous decision win over Irene Aldana. Nunes dominated Aldana throughout five rounds and decided to call it a career after the end of 25 minutes. Nunes will go down as a future Hall of Famer and one of the best female fighters of all time. Aldana on the other hand will have to go back to the drawing board.
— Irene Aldana (@IreneAldana_) June 11, 2023
Irene Aldana promises to get back in the gym and continue her quest for UFC gold.
Aldana took to social media to pay her respect to her former opponent, congratulate her on her retirement, and send a message to her fans. She is not taking this loss as a step back but as a new beginning point.
“It was an honor to face Amanda Nunes incredible Athlete and Fighter. (GOAT),” she wrote. “I’m sorry to have failed my coaches and all of you, I assure you that this does not stay like this… it was a bad night. But the goal is still clear and the Objective is still that 4th belt… I promised you and I’m going to fulfill it… whatever the cost.
I have already identified this blockage, I know what I have to do and this will NOT happen again… I give you my word! I’II be back for all those people who believe in me. If I have learned anything from this sport, it is to always get up.
For now I am going to return to the gym as soon as possible and work Very Hard to earn that second chance.
Always thanks to everyone for so much support and love… and mainly thanks to my coaches and all my team for being at the foot of the canyon in good times and bad. The promise is especially for you.”
Aldana came to the UFC back in 2016 and worked her way up in the bantamweight division. She came into the fight at UFC 289 with two wins under her belt and was looking to pick up her first UFC championship. She could get another chance at gold with another couple of wins under her belt. And with the championship now vacant she may get another chance sooner than later.
