UFC 289: Nunes, Double World Champion’s Retirement and Return of Oliveira

UFC 289 was the most anticipated event of the year. It was because of the clash of the champions. Amanda Nunes, the most decorated fighter of the UFC, competed to defend her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title for the sixth time. Before that, she had successfully defended her Bantamweight title five times. Amanda won the defense title fight against Irene Aldana, who is at fifth position in the UFC Women’s rankings on June 10, 2023. Nunes won the fight against Aldana via unanimous decision, 50-44, 50-44, and 50-43. Nunes marked her status as UFC’s two division Champion.

UFC 289 was held in Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia on June 10, 2023. Nunes was so excited and thrilled with her victory that she laid her belts, Bantamweight and Featherweight division belts, in the octagon and thanked her family and friends.  In the same event, Nunes announced that it was her retirement fight. She said that she now wants to focus on her family.

Nunes said that she has been in the UFC for so long. She mentioned her spouse’s efforts which led Nunes to her victory. Nunes was ready to fight against Julianna Pena but Pena’s injury led Nunes to fight against Irene Aldana.

Nunes has defeated the best fighters in the MMA world. She cemented her career as the champion since Strikeforce. Some of the leading women champions that Nunes defeated are:

• Cris Cyborg
• Ronda Rousey
• Valentina Shevchenko (2 times)
• Holly Holm
• Miesha Tate

Nunes announced in the octagon that she will now become a full-time coach in her own gym to train her students.

Since Charles Oliviera’s last fight against Islam Makhachev, it was his return to UFC. Oliviera was stripped of his UFC Lightweight title in 2022. Since then he has been participating actively to regain his lost title. At UFC 289, Charles Oliveira competed against Beneil Dariush and won the fight via knockout in the first round. Oliviera’s punches were enough to take down Driush who had won his last eight UFC fights in a row.

It was the most beautiful sight for Oliviera’s fans seeing him taking back his top position. He asked, “Who is the Champion?” And the massive crowd roared Do Bronx’s name.

In the welterweight division, Mike Mallot submitted Adam Fugitt via Guillotine Choke in the second round. Marc-Andre Barriault won the fight against Eryk Anders via unanimous decision in the middleweight division. In the featherweight division of the UFC, Dan Ige won the fight against Nate Landwehr by unanimous decision.

Photo Credit: @UFC