Amanda Nunes is once again a defending champion in the women’s bantamweight division after she defeated Irene Aldana in Saturday’s UFC 289 headliner.
Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC), who also holds gold at women’s featherweight, registered the first defense in her second reign at 135 pounds with a unanimous decision victory over Mexican challenger Aldana (14-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in the main event at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
After the fight, Nunes retired from MMA competition.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Nunes’ title defense over Aldana at UFC 289.
Raquel Pennington
I want next end of story!!!! #UFC289
— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) June 11, 2023
Cageside Press
Nunes high kick misses but the front kick doesn’t.
Irene trying to find her range. Nunes front kick again. Nunes shoots and gets the takedown but Irene back to her feet. #UFC289
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) June 11, 2023
Yves Edwards
I see a ? Kick coming.
— The Thugjitsu Master (@thugjitsumaster) June 11, 2023
Caposa
Front kicks up the middle are just landing at will for Amanda. Aldana seems a little frozen
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 11, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Think Irene is a little star struck right now maybe after the first she’ll b ok
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 11, 2023
Michael Carroll
Unofficially, Nunes out-landed Aldana 25 to 6 in R1 but Aldana may have landed the biggest strike. It was basically R4 of Kara-France vs. Albazi. #UFC289
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) June 11, 2023
Sean Sheehan
10-9 Nunes. Aladana just didn’t do enough. #UFC289
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) June 11, 2023
Henry Cejudo
Amanda is fighting perfect but has to be careful in boxing range. Alda will or should come out throwing bombs this round #ufc289
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 11, 2023
Cageside Press
R2 – Nunes off the stool with a look that says she’s got this.
Irene does not want to get too close to Nunes. She’s throwing shots out, but not hitting anything. Nunes lands the jab.
Nunes front kick to the leg then 1-2, then kick clash. #UFC289
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) June 11, 2023
Luke Thomas
Aldana employing a high guard that was useful in countering Nunes once very nicely in the first, but otherwise, there’s not enough activity. Nunes easily takes the first.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) June 11, 2023
Belal Muhammad
That’s why @VenezuelanVixen is the toughest test for Amanda she won’t respect her she has no fear in her
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 11, 2023
Phil Murphy
20-18, Nunes. She’s in cruise control. #UFC289
— Phil Murphy™️ (@Phil_Sports) June 11, 2023
Caposa
Nunes is doing quite literally anything she wants. Aldana seems in over her head. Needs to wake up in these next 5 minutes or this feels like it’s over.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 11, 2023
Aljamain Sterling
Not what I expected in this fight. Aldana needs to do more. Amanda gonna cruise to a W at this rate. I don’t blame her. Aldana needs to bring the fight or at least match the output. #UFC289
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 11, 2023
Henry Cejudo
The pressing of Amanda with leg kicks is throwing Aldana off. Star stuck is a real thing. #ufc288
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 11, 2023
Teddy Atlas
Nunes gradually taking her apart piece by piece. Chopping her down like tree. #UFC289
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) June 11, 2023
Derek Brunson
Nunes looks likes she’s playing on Rookie mode on UFC 4 😂😂😂 #UFC289
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 11, 2023
Luke Thomas
I wouldn’t put this performance on par with Penn fighting on the balls of his feet against Edgar, but Aldana’s inherently defensive posture here is just not helping her get the job done.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) June 11, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Amanda playing with her food
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 11, 2023
Marion Reneau
Some easy takedowns from the champ! #UFC289
— Marion Reneau (@BelizeanBruiser) June 11, 2023
Phil Murphy
30-27, Nunes. This feels like a formality. Aldana doesn’t appear to have much tonight. #UFC289
— Phil Murphy™️ (@Phil_Sports) June 11, 2023
Danny Segura
I have it 30-27, Nunes. Aldana need to do more NOW. #UFC289
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 11, 2023
Matthew Wells
Nunes is on cruise control. We’re firmly in Comeback of the Year territory if Aldana can pull this off. #UFC289
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) June 11, 2023
Henry Cejudo
Aldana needs to create a fight and look for the left hook. 3 -0 Nunes #ufc289
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 11, 2023
Raquel Pennington
I would be in there fighting a war!!!! Instead I was made the back up!! 🤬😡 #UFC289
— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) June 11, 2023
Sean O’Malley
This fight is crazy
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) June 11, 2023
Esther Lin
Irene 😢 seems so out of it, frozen
— esther lin (@allelbows) June 11, 2023
Kevin Iole
Nunes up 40-35 after four. Aldana’s corner ought to think of stopping this. Irene taking a lot of unnecessary punishment and she’s not in the fight at all. #UFC289
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) June 11, 2023
Luke Thomas
Aldana is just jousting at this point. No setups. Just throwing and getting timed on virtually every exchange.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) June 11, 2023