Nina Nunes announced her retirement on Saturday night at UFC San Diego after eight years in the Octagon. The announcement came after she defeated Cynthia Calvillo by split decision.
The news surprised many as this was Nunes’ first fight in a year-and-a-half, but she realized during training camp that she didn’t have the fire she used to have. She admits the last several months have been tough, from Amanda Nunes losing and winning back her belt to starting a new gym. Along with that, coming back from having a baby is also tough.
Goals Outside of the Octagon Drew Nina Nunes Into Retirement
“These last few months have been heavy. Amanda’s rematch (with Julianna Peña), opening a new gym, moving, having a two-year-old. It’s just been a lot,” Nunes said after UFC San Diego.
“That emotion of Amanda losing after a long time, I just wanted to secure that while trying to coach her and train at the same time. I always wanted to have more kids, I wanted to have them close together. I’m not doing that comeback again (after having a child), because that was horrible. So, I’m just going to stop and make a couple in a row.”
With the win on Saturday night, Nunes snapped her two-fight losing skid. Before the win over Calvillo, she suffered a submission loss to Mackenzie Dern and Tatiana Suarez.
The Legacy of Nina Nunes
In her UFC career, Nunes went 5-4 with notable wins over Claudia Gadelha, Randa Markos, and Angela Hill, among others. Although she is still a top-15 fighter and admits she can likely go further, she is happy with what she has accomplished so she is fine to hang up her gloves.
“I know I could’ve gone further in this sport, but I took two years off for a baby, a year off for a knee surgery – all these things adding up,” Nunes said. “I’m just glad I was able to accomplish what I was. … Absolutely not (going to come back). I am done. Completely done. I told myself when I really retired, I would really retire and focus all my energy on whoever is next.”
