Amanda Nunes joins UFC Hall of Fame with another title reign in her sights
'I'm going to get my belt back again and I'm going to come back here and keep making history,' Amanda Nunes said in her acceptance speech. The post Amanda Nunes joins UFC Hall of Fame with another title reign in her sights appeared first on Outsports.
Mark
Amanda Nunes’ UFC career is defined by history-making accomplishments for both female and LGBTQ fighters that have set her apart as one of the greatest to ever set foot in the octagon regardless of gender.
So, of course, her induction into the UFC Hall of Fame during International Fight Week represented another historic first for the sport of mixed martial arts.
Nunes became the first out LGBTQ member of the UFC Hall of Fame at the Las Vegas ceremony Thursday evening, entering the Modern Wing of the institution as only the third woman to receive the honor.
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“The UFC gave me a career and helped me with my insecurity. It made me strong for things that I thought one day would be a struggle,” an emotional Nunes said before introducing her wife Nina Nunes, who inducted her, and their two daughters as they shared the stage with her.
“Who would have thought a girl from a small city, Pojuca, Bahia, Brazil, doing jiu-jitsu in a government program would become a champion, a double champion and would be here with you guys tonight? That’s Amazing,” she continued.
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(@amanda_leoa)“The Lioness” offered thanks to many during her time at the podium, including her former coaches at American Top Team and MMA Masters, her current training team at Lioness Studio and UFC executives Dana White and Hunter Campbell.
The first double champion to hold and defend titles in two different weight classes simultaneously reserved special words for her mother, an inspiration for the dedication that drove Nunes to be the fighter and person she is today.
“I learned it from her.” she said. “I saw her come from work and leave to go work again. I want to be like this woman. I going to work hard, I’m going to leave Brazil and I’m going to make my dream come true. I don’t have another choice in my life.”
To say that Nunes made that dream come true would be an understatement when you take into how many records she set, the list of former champions at both Bantamweight and Featherweight she toppled and the source of inspiration she became to Brazilian and LGBTQ fighters during her decade in the UFC before retiring in 2023.
She's in the Hall of Fame but SHE'S NOT DONE
@Amanda_Leoa wants her belt back! pic.twitter.com/p85ennO2tH— UFC (@ufc) June 27, 2025
Unlike other Hall of Fame inductions, Nunes’ entrance into the annals of UFC history comes on the heels of her announcing her return to MMA with a UFC Bantamweight title fight against current champion Kayla Harrison on the horizon.
And Nunes made sure that those in attendance knew that “The Lioness” is ready to reign over the UFC jungle once again.
“I’m going to get my belt back again and I’m going to come back here and keep making history,” Nunes exclaimed before receiving her UFC Hall of Fame jacket. “This is what I come her to do … I’ll see you guys soon. We’re going to celebrate together. And new!”
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The post Amanda Nunes joins UFC Hall of Fame with another title reign in her sights appeared first on Outsports.
