Meet the UFC fighter who wants to make an impact and help people around the world live their truth.
A fighter from the beginning
Nunes was born in Salvador, Brazil. She began karate at just four years old and started training in the boxing ring when she was 16. In an interview with Bleacher Report, Nunes said when she first got into MMA she was broke and living at the gym. To make money, she used to clean the mats after the gym closed.
The greatest of all time
Nunes is widely considered to be the greatest female fighter in MMA ever. She made history after becoming the first UFC fighter to hold and defend titles in two divisions – bantamweight and featherweight – at the same time. UFC president Dana White recently told sports radio host Jim Rome that while Nunes is one of the sweetest people he has ever known, when she steps into the octagon, she is “a savage”. White agreed Nunes is the greatest female fighter of all time.
Net worth
Her net-worth has been estimated to be around US$4 million, with much of the money coming from her winning purses. Although there is talk about her “marketability” outside the ring, Nunes likes to keep her side-hustle largely private. In an interview with CBS Sport, she said she didn’t care if she was marketable, she just cared about being the best fighter on the planet.
“This is my job. I honestly feel like people don’t understand that and only think about TV and jewellery and all the things outside. That is part of the game but if I do my job and fight and get my pay cheque, I get to enjoy my life
How did she get her nickname
From her tattoo to her Reebok merchandising, The Lioness nickname has become synonymous with Nunes. Essentially Sport credits the nickname to the gym Nunes used to train at in Brazil. It had two lions as part of its logo and it stuck with her. Since then the name’s meaning has come to reflect her fighting style: brutal and combative.
She was the first openly lesbian UFC fighter
Nunes used to be very private about her personal life but told CBS Sport that after receiving messages from the LGBTQ+ community, she was inspired to “live openly”. She said it was a handwritten note from parents of a young girl who helped her be more open. She met fellow fighter Nina Ansaroff in 2012, and in 2018 they announced their engagement.
She has the cutest baby girl
Nunes and Ansaroff announced the arrival of their daughter, Raegan Ann Nunes, in September 2020. Both regularly post pictures of their baby girl on their social media feeds. Nunes told Essentially Sport they live a “pretty normal life” when not preparing for fights.
Animal-lover
Nunes also considers herself an activist and says that she can imagine a future where she is involved in animal welfare. She has a house filled with pets, including three dogs and a cat. She often posts pictures of herself running in nature and even milking cows.
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