Amanda Nunes: The Dominant Force in Women’s MMA

Amanda Nunes has established herself as the most famous and dominant women’s mixed martial arts fighter in the world. Her reign of excellence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has solidified her status as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in female combat sports. As she prepares to defend her bantamweight strap against challenger Julianna Peña at UFC 269, Nunes continues to prove that she is not only the best in her division but also one of the most dominant athletes in individual sports.

Five years have passed since Nunes ended Ronda Rousey’s combat career and embarked on her path to greatness. In the ever-changing world of MMA, where championship reigns are often short-lived, Nunes has defied the odds by improving, evolving, and remaining at the top of her game. Currently holding simultaneous titles in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, Nunes has shown remarkable versatility and technical prowess.

Nunes’ last defeat came in September 2014 against Cat Zingano. At that time, women had only been fighting in the UFC for a short period, and the overall standard and level of professionalism were not as high as they are today. Since then, Nunes has achieved a remarkable 12 consecutive triumphs, including historic victories over Miesha Tate, Ronda Rousey, and Cris Cyborg. Her dominance has been unparalleled, and no one has been able to challenge her consistently or threaten her reign.

Even when faced with challengers who were expected to pose a significant threat, Nunes has consistently dismissed any doubts about her abilities. Her victory over Megan Spencer showcased her technical prowess, as she swiftly submitted her opponent in just 123 seconds. Lance Pugmire of USA TODAY comments, “When it comes to Nunes, everyone in the MMA community appreciates how brilliant she is and her incredible accomplishments. But she is almost making it look too easy. She is doing very difficult things as a matter of routine, so it naturally takes away a little of the drama. That’s not her problem — she’s doing her job, and she’s doing it better than anyone.”

Comparisons can be drawn between Nunes and Ronda Rousey, who also enjoyed a dominant reign until her consecutive losses to Holly Holm and Nunes. However, Rousey’s popularity was fueled by a larger-than-life personality and her ability to capture the public’s curiosity. Nunes, on the other hand, has prioritized her career as a fighter rather than seeking commercial opportunities or widespread fame. This dedication to her craft has contributed to her lack of crossover appeal, although she is undoubtedly a superstar within her sport.

In anticipation of her fight against Peña, Nunes remains focused on her goal of retaining her title. Refusing to underestimate any opponent, she reaffirms her commitment to being prepared for any challenge. Nunes states, “When you lock the cage door, everybody can become dangerous. I’m going to be ready to go. I have the belt. I’m not going to let that belt go. I have a lot to go still. I am 34, and I feel young. Let’s see the future, I’m excited.”

Despite Peña’s attempts to market the fight and create hype by claiming Nunes is ducking her, the odds heavily favor Nunes. She is a -1000 favorite with Peña at +650. Peña believes Nunes has weaknesses in her ground game but fails to acknowledge Nunes’ victories over ground experts such as Miesha Tate and Sara McMann. While Peña’s confidence is commendable, Nunes’ dominance suggests that bold predictions should come from the opposite side of the Octagon.

In the unpredictable world of UFC, anything can happen on any given night. However, Nunes remains the exception to this rule. Her established track record of excellence and her relentless drive to improve make her the closest thing the UFC has to a sure thing. As she continues to etch her name in the history books of MMA, Amanda Nunes stands as a true powerhouse in women’s mixed martial arts.