Nearly two years have passed since Amanda Nunes, the former two-division UFC champion and WMMA GOAT, laid down her gloves after a dominant title defense against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. Since then, the Brazilian has largely stepped out of the spotlight, turning her attention toward her personal life, most notably, raising her daughter. However, earlier this year, whispers of a potential comeback began to circulate, gaining momentum when the 36-year-old made a surprise appearance at the UFC 316 pre-fight press conference, set for June 7.
While her presence alone was enough to stir speculation, things further intensified when media members asked UFC CEO Dana White about a possible return, perhaps to face the winner of the co-main event clash between current bantamweight champion Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison. As the cameras cut to Nunes during the exchange, she simply nodded in response, a subtle gesture that set the MMA world abuzz.
Now, after months of silence, ‘The Lioness’ has finally broken her silence. Appearing on the UFC’s official YouTube channel, the host couldn’t help but notice her physical condition and posed the burning question: “You’re looking in shape; you’re not retired and just eating bonbons on the couch. You look like you’ve been doing your pull-ups. Are you getting a little itchy? Are you getting itchy just watching it? Because there’s a rumor, there’s a rumor you might be coming back. I want you to talk to us.”
After weeks of keeping fans in suspense, Amanda Nunes responded with refreshing honesty: “Yes, definitely, you know, like I’m still in shape, I’m still training. I never left. If I left the gym and the training, I’d go crazy. I can’t—it’s like I need, I need training for, like, you know, my spirit needed training, needed, like, fighting. Like, it’s just how I, you know, this is what I’m born to do. Like, I don’t know how to do anything different than that. I’m definitely in shape. Like, what? Actually, I feel like I’m better now than before, though.”
June 9, 2023, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: L-R Opponents AMANDA NUNES of Brazil and IRENE ALDANA of Mexico face off during the UFC 289 ceremonial weigh-in at Rogers Arena on June 09, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver Canada – ZUMAc132 20230609_zap_c132_023 Copyright: xAndrewxChinx
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The post Amanda Nunes Breaks Silence on Plans to Come Out of Retirement for UFC Comeback – “I’m Better Now” appeared first on EssentiallySports.