UFC 289: Amanda Nunes retires as double-champ in dominant fashion

VANCOUVER, Canada — Amanda Nunes looked like the champion we remember.

In her first title defense since reclaiming the UFC women’s bantamweight title in July 2022, Nunes was dominant. Nunes picked Irene Aldana apart from range and even scored takedowns occasionally en route to a unanimous decision. Nunes’ striking appeared to take Aldana out of her game plan on the feet, and when she felt like it, she took Aldana down repeatedly. After the fight, Nunes brought out both of her belts, placed them in the Octagon, had her gloves cut off and announced her retirement from the UFC.

“Brazil, come get these belts!” Nunes proclaimed to the crowd afterward.”I’m leaving!”

In the co-main event, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira emphatically reinserted himself into the title picture with a first-round knockout against Beneil Dariush. Oliveira, who lost the title to Islam Makhachev in his last fight, could have placed himself in the front of the line for a shot at the champ with such an impressive win.

ESPN’s MMA correspondents Brett Okamoto, Marc Raimondi and Jeff Wagenheim break down all the action from an action-packed night in Vancouver.