Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Amanda Nunes is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Amanda Nunes is widely celebrated as one of the greatest female fighters in MMA history. Known for her ferocity, skill, and trailblazing presence as a double UFC champion, she has broken records and barriers throughout her career. Here’s a comprehensive look at her life, career, and achievements.
Amanda Nunes’ Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Amanda Lourenço Nunes |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | May 30, 1988 |
| Age | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Pojuca, Bahia, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| College | Studied Physical Education |
| Religion | N/A |
| Turned Pro | March 8, 2008 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $4–14 million |
| Base Salary | $350,000–$400,000 per fight |
| Spouse | Nina Nunes |
| Relationship | Married |
| Children | Two daughters: Raegan Ann Nunes (2020), Hazel Ann Nunes (2023) |
| @amanda_leoa |
Early Career
Amanda Nunes grew up in Pojuca, Brazil, raised by her mother after her parents separated. She started martial arts early, practicing capoeira at five, then karate and boxing, before focusing on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 16. Inspired by her family’s fighting background, she quickly excelled, winning gold at the 2009 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Nunes made her MMA debut in 2008, losing her first fight but rebounding with a six-fight win streak, which led her to compete in Strikeforce and Invicta FC before joining the UFC.
Professional Career
Amanda Nunes debuted in the UFC in 2013, quickly establishing herself as a force in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. She claimed the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in 2016 by defeating Miesha Tate and stunned the world by knocking out Ronda Rousey in just 48 seconds. Nunes became the first woman to hold two UFC titles simultaneously after defeating Cris Cyborg for the featherweight belt in 2018.
She defended both titles multiple times, notching wins over Holly Holm, Valentina Shevchenko, Germaine de Randamie, and Megan Anderson. Known for her aggressive striking and well-rounded ground game, Nunes retired as a reigning double champion in 2023, only to announce a comeback in 2025. She is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame and remains a dominant figure in women’s MMA.
Spouse
Amanda Nunes is married to Nina Nunes (formerly Ansaroff), a fellow former UFC fighter. They became engaged in 2018 and married in 2019. The couple has two daughters: Raegan Ann Nunes, born in September 2020, and Hazel Ann Nunes, born in November 2023. Their family journey, including the use of IVF, has been openly shared on social media, making them an inspiration for LGBTQ athletes worldwide.
Amanda Nunes’ Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Amanda Nunes’s net worth is estimated between $4 million and $14 million. This figure includes her fight purses, pay-per-view shares, bonuses, and endorsement deals. Her biggest payday came from her fight against Ronda Rousey, where she earned over $2 million. Over her career, her total recorded MMA earnings are estimated at over $8 million, not counting undisclosed bonuses and endorsements.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Guaranteed Purse | Sponsorship Bonus | PPV/Other Bonuses | Total Earnings | Date |
| UFC 207 | Ronda Rousey | $100,000 | $40,000 | $2,000,000 (PPV) | $2,140,000 | Dec 30, 2016 |
| UFC 259 | Megan Anderson | $500,000 | $40,000 | Unknown | $540,000+ | Mar 7, 2021 |
| UFC 250 | Felicia Spencer | $450,000 | Unknown | Unknown | $450,000+ | Jun 6, 2020 |
| UFC 245 | G. de Randamie | $350,000 | $40,000 | Unknown | $390,000+ | Dec 14, 2019 |
| UFC 239 | Holly Holm | $300,000 | $40,000 | Unknown | $340,000+ | Jul 6, 2019 |
| UFC 232 | Cris Cyborg | $250,000 | $40,000 | Unknown | $290,000+ | Dec 29, 2018 |
| UFC 289 | Irene Aldana | $400,000 | $50,000 | $250,000–$450,000 (PPV est.) | $700,000–$900,000 | Jun 10, 2023 |
Endorsements
- Reebok: Official UFC outfitter; significant bonuses for wearing official gear.
- TEN Spring Water: Official endorsement and sponsorship deal.
- Celsius Energy Drink: Brand ambassador.
- Trifecta Nutrition: Endorsement partnership.
- Yamamoto Nutrition: Sponsored athlete.
- Tokyo Time: Apparel endorsement.
- Modelo: Featured in commercials.
- TrustSwap: Cryptocurrency sponsorship, including branded appearances and social media promotion.
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Method | Event | Date | Notes |
| Irene Aldana | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 289 | Jun 10, 2023 | Last fight before retirement |
| Julianna Peña | Win/Loss | Decision/Sub. (RNC) | UFC 277/269 | Jul 30, 2022/Dec 11, 2021 | Trilogy, regained title |
| Megan Anderson | Win | Submission (Triangle Armbar) | UFC 259 | Mar 6, 2021 | Featherweight title defense |
| Felicia Spencer | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 250 | Jun 6, 2020 | Featherweight title defense |
| Germaine de Randamie | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 245 | Dec 14, 2019 | Bantamweight title defense |
| Holly Holm | Win | KO (Head Kick & Punches) | UFC 239 | Jul 6, 2019 | Bantamweight title defense |
| Cris Cyborg | Win | KO (Punches) | UFC 232 | Dec 29, 2018 | Won Featherweight title |
| Raquel Pennington | Win | TKO (Punches) | UFC 224 | May 12, 2018 | Bantamweight title defense |
| Valentina Shevchenko | Win (2x) / Loss | Decision (Split/Unanimous) | UFC 215/196 | Sep 9, 2017/Mar 5, 2016 | Notable rival |
| Ronda Rousey | Win | TKO (Punches) | UFC 207 | Dec 30, 2016 | 48-second KO, title defense |
| Miesha Tate | Win | Submission (RNC) | UFC 200 | Jul 9, 2016 | Won Bantamweight title |
| Cat Zingano | Loss | TKO (Elbows & Punches) | UFC 178 | Sep 27, 2014 | Only UFC TKO loss |
FAQs
1. Who is Amanda Nunes and why is she considered the greatest female MMA fighter of all time?
Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes is a Brazilian-American professional mixed martial artist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time. She became the first woman to hold UFC titles in two weight classes simultaneously and is the only fighter to defend titles in two different divisions while actively holding both belts. With a record of 23-5, she holds 11 title fight wins, a 12-fight consecutive win streak, and 10 finishes—all UFC women’s records. Her dominance across multiple divisions, technical skill, and consistent performances against elite competition solidify her legacy as the GOAT of women’s MMA.
2. What is Amanda Nunes’ professional MMA record?
Amanda Nunes has a professional MMA record of 23 wins and 5 losses across 28 fights. Of her 23 victories, 13 are by knockout, 4 are by submission, and 6 are by decision. Her five losses came against Ana Maria, Alexis Davis, Sarah D’Alelio, Cat Zingano, and Julianna Peña, with two of these losses occurring before her UFC breakthrough in 2013.
3. When did Amanda Nunes become UFC bantamweight champion?
Amanda Nunes won the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship on July 9, 2016, at UFC 200, when she defeated Miesha Tate via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round at just 3 minutes and 16 seconds. This victory made her the first openly gay UFC champion.
4. How did Amanda Nunes defeat Ronda Rousey?
At UFC 207 on December 30, 2016, Amanda Nunes faced returning MMA superstar Ronda Rousey in her first title defense. In one of the most dominant performances in women’s MMA history, Nunes won by TKO via punches in just 48 seconds of the first round. Her overwhelming striking power and technical superiority were on full display, as she consistently landed clean combinations and forced the referee to stop the fight, leaving no doubt about her superiority over the former champion.
5. What makes Amanda Nunes’ fighting style unique?
Amanda Nunes’ fighting style is characterized by powerful striking fundamentals, a sharp jab, devastating combinations, and excellent low kicks. She excels at keeping fights on the feet where her striking power is most effective. Nunes demonstrates strong takedown defense with excellent clinch positioning and is also proficient in submissions, particularly rear-naked chokes and armbar variations. Her success comes from being a well-rounded athlete who consistently executes the basics with superior strength, timing, and form while avoiding overcommitting and maintaining good defensive positioning.
6. When did Amanda Nunes become a two-division champion?
Amanda Nunes became a two-division UFC champion on December 29, 2018, at UFC 232, when she defeated Cris Cyborg for the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship. Nunes knocked out the previously dominant Cyborg in just 51 seconds of the first round, winning the Performance of the Night bonus. This victory made her the first woman in UFC history to hold championship belts in two different weight divisions simultaneously.
7. What are Amanda Nunes’ Hall of Fame achievements?
Amanda Nunes was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing as the Class of 2025 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas in June 2025. Her Hall of Fame resume includes being the first woman to become a two-division champion and hold both titles simultaneously, holding a 12-fight winning streak (longest in UFC women’s history), achieving 11 most title fight wins in UFC women’s history (tied with Valentina Shevchenko), and recording 10 finishes—the most in UFC women’s history.
8. Who is Amanda Nunes married to?
Amanda Nunes is married to Nina Ansaroff (now Nina Nunes), a former UFC strawweight fighter. They married on January 25, 2019, after being together for approximately four years. Nina was born on December 3, 1985, in Weston, Florida, and competed in the UFC before retiring. The couple has two daughters together—their first daughter, Raegen Ann, was born on September 24, 2020, and their second daughter was born on November 1, 2023.
9. Why did Amanda Nunes retire and when did she announce her comeback?
Amanda Nunes announced her retirement on June 10, 2023, after defending her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Irene Aldana at UFC 289. She cited exhaustion from continuous fighting, weight cuts, and a desire to focus on her family and enjoy her accomplishments while still young. However, on June 5, 2025, after spending two years in retirement, Nunes announced her comeback. She stated she was motivated by the rise of new champion Kayla Harrison and expressed her desire to reclaim the title.
10. What is Amanda Nunes scheduled to do next?
Amanda Nunes is scheduled to compete for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship against current champion Kayla Harrison on January 24, 2026, at UFC 324. This fight will mark her official return to competition after a two-year retirement. Nunes has expressed confidence in her comeback and stated that she plans to stay active in the UFC for the long term, with intentions to defend the title for as long as her body permits if she wins.