VANCOUVER — For many, it came as a surprise that UFC and women’s MMA GOAT champion Amanda Nunes retired after defeating Erin Aldana at UFC 289 Saturday night, but she’s known for a long time.
“(I knew I was going to retire) when I signed the contract for this fight. I tried to hide it from you guys all week, but it looks like you (were) over it. I didn’t want to focus on that,” Nunes told reporters including Cageside Press in her post-fight meeting on Saturday.
“(I didn’t) want to keep talking about retirement all the time, and I still talk. Imagine if I said yes I would retire. It was all about that.”
Now that it’s over, Nunes has time to reflect on her legacy on how people will remember her time in MMA.
“The greatest of all time. You did everything you know, you broke a lot of records. Tonight I tied Anderson Silva, it’s amazing, right? So I’m very happy about that,” she said.
With no more actual fighting in her future, “The Lioness” will take a step back and run her own gym where she trains fighters.
“I love this sport. I have my own gym. I have girls there and I love helping them be successful too. I have a lot to give, as a double champion I know a lot. We are a team working together, and I will be able to make a girl a champion too.”
“If I really work with one girl I can make her a champion. I know everything about this game, mentally and be good at it, I practice strategy. We will create a really strong team in the future.”
Aside from her coaching aspirations, Nunes will now take time to heal, keep up with the family, and help her wife Nina with her pregnancy as the two are expecting their second child together.
“Now I’m going to take a break. I’m going to see my family in Brazil, and also have a little fun with my family at home. Nina is pregnant and she also needs a short break. She almost had a heart attack today at the hotel,” Nunes said with a laugh.
Nunes gave her partner all the credit for making her life easier as she continued to train and fight. Now is the time to rest, relax and get ready for their next baby.
It’s also time to think about a long and successful career. The question was put to her, if she could go back to telling her younger self who was leaving Brazil to head to the States to train and fight anything, what would she say?
“You made the right decision, girl,” Nunes laughed. “Good job and I am so proud of you. I made the decision at a very young age.”
Watch our full post-fight story with Amanda Nunes above.