Amanda Nunes

Early Life and Martial Arts Beginnings

Amanda Lourenço Nunes was born on May 30, 1988, in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, to Sindoval and Ivete Nunes. She grew up with her older sister, Vanessa Nunes, who also pursued martial arts. Amanda began training in karate at the age of four, sparking her early interest in combat sports. By the time she was sixteen, she had expanded her skills to include boxing and soon followed her sister’s footsteps into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Training under black belt Ryan Franco, she honed her grappling abilities, setting a strong foundation for her future MMA career.

Rise Through MMA and UFC Debut

Nunes began her professional MMA journey with a stint in Invicta Fighting Championships, where she achieved a mixed record. Her UFC debut came on August 3, 2013, with a dominant victory over Sheila Gaff via first-round TKO. Over the following three years, she continued to build momentum, losing only one fight during that period. Her consistency and impressive performances earned her a title shot.

Double Champion Status and UFC Dominance

On July 9, 2016, Nunes captured the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship with a submission win over Miesha Tate at UFC 200. She successfully defended her title six months later, defeating former champion Ronda Rousey in just 48 seconds on December 30, 2016. This dominant win secured Nunes’ status as one of the promotion's top stars.

In December 2018, she challenged and defeated Cris Cyborg at UFC 232 by first-round knockout, capturing the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship and becoming the first female double champion in UFC history. Nunes continued to defend both titles successfully, cementing her legacy in the sport. Her powerful striking and versatile skill set earned her multiple Performance of the Night bonuses.

In July 2019, Nunes knocked out former boxing world champion Holly Holm with a head kick, further showcasing her elite abilities. After the fight, she expressed interest in a potential rematch with Cris Cyborg, one of the most formidable fighters in women’s MMA history.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Amanda Nunes is among the few openly gay athletes in professional sports. While she tends to keep her focus on her career rather than activism, her visibility and success have helped promote LGBTQ+ representation in athletics. In recognition of her openness, she received the Equality Visibility Award from Equality California in 2016.

Nunes has been in a long-term relationship with fellow UFC fighter Nina Nunes (formerly Ansaroff). The couple has been together since 2012 and announced the birth of their first child in 2020, expanding their family alongside their professional commitments in MMA.