Learn more about Amanda Nunes’ UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.
Fighter Facts
- Pro since 2008
- Thirteen wins by KO, four by submission (3 RNC, triangle armbar)
- 14 first round finishes
- Has won 14 of her last 15 and 12 straight
- Five successful title defenses at 135 pounds
- Two successful title defenses at 145 pounds
- Origin of nickname: “The logo from my first gym was two lions. I was the only female fighter at the gym, so my old coach started to call me "Leoa" for my aggressive style and it stuck.”
UFC History
UFC 259 (3/6/21) Nunes submitted Megan Anderson via triangle armbar at 2:03 of the first round to retain her UFC women’s featherweight title
UFC 250 (6/6/20) Nunes won a five round unanimous decision over Felicia Spencer to retain her UFC women’s featherweight title
UFC 245 (12/14/19) Nunes won a five round unanimous decision over Germaine de Randamie to retain her UFC women’s bantamweight title
UFC 239 (7/6/19) Nunes stopped Holly Holm via strikes at 4:10 of the first round to retain her UFC women’s bantamweight title
UFC 232 (12/29/18) Nunes knocked out Cris Cyborg at :51 of the first round to win the UFC women’s featherweight title
UFC 224 (5/12/18) Nunes stopped Raquel Pennington via strikes at 2:36 of the fifth round to retain her UFC women’s bantamweight title
UFC 215 (9/9/17) Nunes won a five round split decision over Valentina Shevchenko to retain her UFC women’s bantamweight title
UFC 207 (12/30/16) Nunes stopped Ronda Rousey via strikes at :48 of the first round to retain her UFC women’s bantamweight title
UFC 200 (7/9/16) Nunes submitted Miesha Tate via rear naked choke at 3:16 of the first round to win the UFC women’s bantamweight title
UFC 196 (3/5/16) Nunes won a three round unanimous decision over Valentina Shevchenko
UFC Fight Night (8/8/15) Nunes submitted Sara McMann via rear naked choke at 2:53 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (3/21/15) Nunes stopped Shayna Baszler via strikes at 1:56 of the first round
UFC 178 (9/27/14) Nunes was stopped by Cat Zingano via strikes at 1:21 of the third round
UFC Fight for the Troops 3 (11/6/13) Nunes stopped Germaine de Randamie via strikes at 3:56 of the first round
UFC 163 (8/3/13) Nunes stopped Sheila Gaff via strikes at 2:08 of the first round
STRIKEFORCE HISTORY:
Barnett vs. Kharitonov (9/10/11) Nunes was stopped by Alexis Davis via strikes at 4:53 of the second round
Challengers 13 (1/7/11) Nunes knocked out Julia Budd at :14 of the first round
Q&A
TRAINING: I train every day at American Top Team. I'm not working on anything too specific; I'm working every day to improve myself as a true mixed martial artist.
When and why did you start training for fighting? She started karate at 7 years old. Then she started boxing and training jiu-jitsu as a teenager. She made her pro MMA debut at 19. Her mother put her in karate because she was always full of energy and she wanted to do something useful with it.
What ranks and titles have you held? UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Black belt in jiu-jitsu, brown belt in judo. Naga World Champ in her weight and Absolute, Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Gold, Mundials Jiu-Jitsu Gold, Brazilian State Jiu-Jitsu Champion
Do you have any heroes? Cain Velasquez and my uncle, Jose Alvis
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s a dream come true.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? She was studying Physical Education but is pursuing her dream and moved to the USA to train full time
What was your job before you started fighting? Never worked. Training is her work
Specific accomplishments in pro competition? She has ended all her fights by KO or submission, three of them in the first 30 seconds.
Favorite grappling technique: Mata Leao (Rear naked choke)
Favorite Striking technique: Boxing Combination
