Amanda Nunes is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing for the title of UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. Read the article to know Nunes’ net worth, salary, earnings, husband, and other details.
Amanda Nunes’ Biography
| Full Name | Amanda Lourenço Nunes |
| Nickname | Lioness |
| Division | Bantamweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Date of Birth | May 30, 1988 |
| Debut | March 8, 2008 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 135lbs (61 kg) |
| Age | 34 |
| Birthplace | Pojuca, Bahia, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Net Worth | between $4 and $14 million |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Father’s Name | Sindoval Nunes |
| Mother’s Name | Ivete Nunes |
| Salary | $400,000 |
| Twitter Handle | @Amanda_leoa |
| Instagram Handle | @amanda_leoa |
Early Career
Amanda Nunes, born on May 30, 1988, in Pojuca, Bahia, Brazil, began her journey in martial arts at a young age. Raised by her single mother alongside two older sisters after her parents separated when she was four, Amanda’s early life was marked by resilience and determination.
Her mother, Ivete, worked multiple jobs to support the family and also trained in boxing, which influenced Amanda’s interest in combat sports. Initially aspiring to become a professional soccer player, Amanda played for local teams in Pojuca and Salvador but ultimately shifted focus to martial arts due to her mother’s encouragement.
Amanda’s martial arts training started with capoeira at the age of five, followed by karate at seven. At 16, she began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu after being introduced to it by her sister Vanessa. Her skills quickly developed, and she moved to Salvador at 17 to train at the Edson Carvalho Academy.
There, she also trained in judo and boxing while living at the gym and assisting with chores. This period marked her transformation into “Leoa” (the Lioness), a nickname inspired by the gym’s logo and her fierce fighting style.
Nunes transitioned into mixed martial arts (MMA) training during this time and made her professional debut on March 8, 2008, at Prime MMA Championship 2. Although she lost her debut fight via armbar submission in the first round, she rebounded with a six-fight winning streak, showcasing her powerful striking ability.
Her early career included stints with promotions like Strikeforce and Invicta FC before signing with the UFC in 2013. These formative years laid the foundation for her rise as one of the most dominant fighters in MMA history.
Professional Career
Amanda Nunes’ professional MMA career is a testament to her dominance and evolution as one of the greatest fighters in the sport’s history. She made her professional debut on March 8, 2008, at Prime MMA Championship 2, where she faced a setback, losing via armbar submission in the first round.
However, she quickly rebounded with a six-fight winning streak, showcasing her striking prowess and resilience. Her early career included stints in Strikeforce and Invicta FC, where she achieved mixed results but gained valuable experience and honed her skills before signing with the UFC in 2013 with a record of 7-3.
Nunes made an impactful UFC debut at UFC 163 in August 2013, defeating Sheila Gaff via first-round TKO. After a few ups and downs, including a notable loss to Cat Zingano at UFC 178, she went on a three-fight winning streak that earned her a title shot against Miesha Tate for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at UFC 200 in July 2016. Nunes dominated Tate with strikes and secured a first-round submission victory via rear-naked choke, becoming the first openly gay UFC champion.
Her reign as champion was marked by legendary performances. She defended her bantamweight title against Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 in December 2016, finishing the fight in just 48 seconds with devastating punches. She also defeated Valentina Shevchenko twice, Raquel Pennington, and Holly Holm during her bantamweight reign.
In December 2018 at UFC 232, Nunes moved up to featherweight to face Cris Cyborg, who was widely regarded as the greatest female fighter at the time. In just 51 seconds, Nunes knocked out Cyborg to become the first woman in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously.
Nunes continued to defend both titles against top contenders across two weight classes, including victories over Megan Anderson and Felicia Spencer. Though she briefly lost her bantamweight title to Julianna Peña at UFC 269 in December 2021, Nunes reclaimed it decisively in their rematch at UFC 277 in July 2022. This victory made her the first fighter in UFC history to become a two-time double champion.
Her career is defined by her adaptability, power, and ability to dominate across multiple divisions, solidifying her legacy as one of MMA’s all-time greats.
Relationship
Amanda Nunes and Nina Nunes (formerly Nina Ansaroff) share a unique and inspiring relationship that has been integral to both their personal and professional lives. The couple first met in 2012 as training partners at the American Top Team gym in Florida. Initially, their bond grew through their shared passion for mixed martial arts, but it soon blossomed into a romantic relationship.
Despite early challenges, including language barriers that they overcame with tools like Google Translate, their connection strengthened over time. By 2014, both fighters were signed to the UFC, marking the beginning of their journey as one of the most prominent couples in MMA history.
Their relationship became public when Amanda Nunes won her first UFC title at UFC 200 in 2016, where a celebratory kiss with Nina symbolized their love and partnership. In 2018, the couple got engaged, and a year later, they married.
They have since become trailblazers as the first openly lesbian couple in the UFC. Their mutual support has been evident throughout Amanda’s rise to becoming a two-division UFC champion and Nina’s career in the strawweight and flyweight divisions.
In September 2020, Amanda and Nina welcomed their first child, Raegan Ann Nunes, through in vitro fertilization using a sperm donor. The couple has embraced parenthood with enthusiasm, often sharing moments with their daughter on social media.
In 2022, they announced they were expecting a second child, Hazel Ann Nunes. Together, Amanda and Nina have built a life centered on love, family, and mutual respect while continuing to inspire others as advocates for equality and representation in sports.
Amanda Nunes’s Net Worth Details
Amanda Nunes’s net worth is estimated to be between $4 and $14 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Event | Opponent | Guaranteed Purse | Sponsorship Bonus | PPV/Other Bonuses | Total Earnings | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC 207 | Ronda Rousey | $100,000 | $40,000 | $2,000,000 (PPV & bonuses) | $2,140,000 | Dec 30, 2016 |
| UFC 259 | Megan Anderson | $500,000 | $40,000 | Unknown | $540,000+ | Mar 7, 2021 |
| UFC 250 | Felicia Spencer | $450,000 | Unknown | Unknown | $450,000+ | Jun 6, 2020 |
| UFC 245 | Germaine de Randamie | $350,000 | $40,000 | Unknown | $390,000+ | Dec 14, 2019 |
| UFC 239 | Holly Holm | $300,000 | $40,000 | Unknown | $340,000+ | Jul 6, 2019 |
| UFC 232 | Cris Cyborg | $250,000 | $40,000 | Unknown | $290,000+ | Dec 29, 2018 |
| Strikeforce: Woodley vs Saffiedine | Julia Budd | $9,000 (est.) | – | – | $9,000 | Jan 7, 2011 |
| Strikeforce: Barnett vs Kharitonov | Alexis Davis | $7,500 (est.) | – | – | $7,500 | Sep 10, 2011 |
- Her biggest payday came at UFC 207 against Ronda Rousey with total earnings of approximately $2.14 million, including PPV shares and performance bonuses.
- Over her career in the UFC and Strikeforce combined (as of early 2023), her total recorded MMA earnings are estimated at $8.36 million, excluding undisclosed bonuses and endorsements.
- Sponsorship deals and PPV shares significantly boosted her income in major fights.
Endorsements
Amanda Nunes has built an impressive portfolio of endorsements that reflect her status as one of the greatest MMA fighters in history. Throughout her career, she has partnered with several major brands, leveraging her global recognition and success in the UFC. Notable endorsements include deals with Reebok, Celsius Energy Drink, Trifecta, Yamamoto Nutrition, and Tokyo Time, which have significantly contributed to her net worth. Additionally, she appeared in Modelo commercials, further enhancing her visibility outside the octagon.
Nunes also collaborated with Revivid Sport CBD, a brand specializing in CBD products for athletes. This partnership aligned with her commitment to performance and recovery while adhering to strict anti-doping regulations. Another unique venture involved a partnership with Armadillo Studios to create a branded slot game celebrating her career, showcasing her influence beyond traditional sports endorsements.
In 2022, Amanda expanded into the digital realm by joining The Sports Metaverse. Through this collaboration, she offered personal training sessions in a virtual gym, combining her expertise in MMA with innovative technology.
Career Stats
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 28 |
| Wins | 23 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Wins by Knockout (KO) | 13 |
| Wins by Submission | 4 |
| Wins by Decision | 6 |
| Losses by Knockout (KO) | 2 |
| Losses by Submission | 2 |
| Losses by Decision | 1 |
| UFC Record | 16-2 |
| Longest Win Streak | 12 (2015–2021) |
| Title Bouts Record | 11-1 |
| Octagon Time | 3 hours, 24 minutes, and 24 seconds |
| First UFC Fight | August 3, 2013 (vs. Sheila Gaff, UFC 163) |
| Last UFC Fight | June 10, 2023 (vs. Irene Aldana, UFC 289) |
- Amanda Nunes is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, holding titles in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
- She achieved a remarkable finish rate of approximately 73.9%, with most of her wins coming via knockout or submission.
- Her longest win streak of 12 fights spanned six years and included victories over legendary fighters like Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko.
FAQs
1. Who is Amanda Nunes?
Amanda Nunes is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist widely regarded as the greatest female fighter in MMA history. She competed in the UFC, where she became the first woman to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously (bantamweight and featherweight) and defended both belts successfully.
2. What are Amanda Nunes’ major achievements?
Nunes is a two-division UFC champion and holds the record for the longest combined title reign in UFC history (3,111 days). She has defeated legendary fighters like Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, and Miesha Tate, earning accolades such as Female Fighter of the Year and Knockout of the Year.
3. When did Amanda Nunes retire from MMA?
Amanda Nunes announced her retirement on June 10, 2023, after successfully defending her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. She left the sport as a reigning champion in both bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
4. Who is Amanda Nunes’ wife?
Amanda Nunes is married to Nina Nunes (formerly Nina Ansaroff), a former UFC fighter. The couple got married in 2019 and welcomed their daughter, Raegan Ann Nunes, in September 2020. They are prominent advocates for LGBTQ+ representation in sports.
5. How did Amanda Nunes become a UFC champion?
Nunes won her first UFC title by defeating Miesha Tate via rear-naked choke at UFC 200 in 2016. She later knocked out Cris Cyborg at UFC 232 in just 51 seconds to claim the featherweight title, becoming the first woman to hold two UFC belts simultaneously.
6. What is Amanda Nunes’ fighting style?
Amanda Nunes is known for her aggressive striking power and well-rounded skills. She has a strong background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), holding gold medals in World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, and combines grappling with devastating knockout ability.
7. What records does Amanda Nunes hold in MMA?
Nunes holds numerous records, including the longest combined title reign (3,111 days), most wins in women’s title fights (11), and being the first openly gay UFC champion. Her dominance across two divisions solidified her legacy as an all-time great.
8. What inspired Amanda Nunes to pursue MMA?
Nunes began martial arts with capoeira at age five before transitioning to karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a teenager. Her passion for fighting led her to MMA at age 19, where she debuted professionally in 2008 after honing her skills in grappling competitions.
9. What role does motherhood play in Amanda Nunes’ life?
Motherhood is central to Nunes’ life since welcoming her daughter Raegan Ann with her wife Nina. She often cited her daughter as her biggest motivation and cherished moments celebrating victories with Raegan inside the octagon.
10. Why is Amanda Nunes considered a trailblazer in MMA?
Amanda Nunes broke barriers as the first openly gay UFC champion and inspired women’s MMA growth through her dominance and authenticity. Her victories over iconic fighters helped elevate women’s MMA to new heights, making her a role model globally.
