Amanda Nunes Ponders Early Retirement To Focus on Starting a Family

Amanda Nunes sent shock waves through the MMA world by hinting at a possible early retirement despite recently becoming the first woman to hold belts simultaneously in two different divisions with her win over Cristiane Justino at UFC 232 in December.

Nunes is currently riding an eight-fight win streak inside the Octagon with notable victories over a long list of current and former champions including “Cyborg,” Valentina Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate. The Brazilian now holds the belt in both the featherweight and bantamweight divisions and spoke about in her time she talked to friends and family about early retirement (Transcribed by MMA Junkie):

“I went home to see my family and stay a little bit with my family and my mom (said), ‘I think you should retire,’” Nunes told reporters backstage after UFC Fortaleza. “(She said), ‘You’ve done everything in the sport already, you’ve got everything you want, you’re double champion and I feel like you should take a little bit. Maybe if you want to fight one more time and take a little break, maybe after a long break come back and fight one more time, but I feel like you should.’ I think (about it) a little bit. We’ll see with this next stage what’s going on.”

Nunes has been linked with a potential title defense against former bantamweight champion Holly Holm. Holm is someone “The Lioness” would be interested in fighting given she’s the only remaining champ Nunes hasn’t beaten.

“They don’t call me yet, but I’m waiting for it,” Nunes said. “Let’s see what’s going to happen. I think this fight is very interesting. Holly Holm is the only fighter who is a former champions who I didn’t fight her. That would be an interesting fight for sure.

“I’m a little bit tired of all the big fights,” Nunes added. “Everyone is happy and glad and proud that I did all that and I want a little break to get a family and focus more on Nina’s career. We’ll see. I say those thing, but you know how fighting is. We get involved so much and then we want to do it again. We’ll see. I’m looking for this fight with Holly for sure and I’m ready for the call.”