Amanda Nunes Unlikely to Compete for Remainder of 2020: ‘I Really Need a Break Right Now’

Life is good for Amanda Nunes.

The two-division champion defended her featherweight belt for the first time at UFC 250, earning a dominant unanimous verdict over Felicia Spencer in Saturday’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The victory extended Nunes’ winning streak to 11, and the Brazilian appears to have cleared out all the challengers in two separate weight classes.

In the aftermath of her latest masterpiece, Nunes was content to simply enjoy the moment.

“I don’t even know [what’s next]. Tonight is a beautiful night. I enjoy what I did. This is my night. I feel like I should enjoy it, that’s it,” Nunes said at the UFC 250 post-fight press conference. “I made history tonight; nobody ever did that before. That is amazing. I have to watch the fight again and just enjoy it.”

Though Nunes didn’t get a finish, she was in complete control for the duration of her clash with Spencer. The Brazilian received scorecards of 50-44, 50-44 and 50-45 from the cageside judges, but many observers thought the bout was more lopsided than that.

The American Top Team standout wasn’t disappointed that she was unable to put Spencer away. In fact, she was pleased to prove she could be consistent for a full five rounds.

“I want to do that. I want to go five rounds with the most tough girls,” Nunes said. “Tonight, I proved it. I know Felicia is the toughest girl in this division. I know she’s going to handle exactly what she did tonight. I just want to prove it. I can go to six rounds, not only five anymore … Tonight was amazing.

Nunes is expecting a child with her wife, UFC strawweight Nina Ansaroff, in the coming months. That, along with the desire to heal some nagging injuries, makes it unlikely that “Lioness” will return to the Octagon in 2020.

“[I need a] break for sure. I have to see what is going on with my legs. I always get hurt with this leg, I don’t know what is going on. My baby is coming. In three months she’s gonna be here. I have to organize a lot of things. I have to do so many things. I really need a break right now.

“I think maybe off (the rest of the year) for sure. I have to do a couple things and be ready for my baby.”