Brazilian MMA fighter Amanda Nunes made history at UFC 200. Not only is she the first Brazilian-born woman to win a UFC belt, she also the first openly gay UFC champion.
Credit: Amanda_Leoa / Instagram
The 28-year-old defeated Miesha Tate by rear naked choke in the first round of their UFC 200 fight, making her the new owner of the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship belt.
@Amanda_Leoa adding another title to #americantopteam collection. pic.twitter.com/f5oOKxOcy8
— Mike Brown (@mikebrownmma) July 11, 2016
This is what her opponent, Miesha Tate, looked like after the fight.
CREDIT: Credit: UFC / YouTube
Ouch.
But Nunes wasn’t always the Lioness of the Ring.
Nunes’ path to UFC champ started in Salvador, Brazil, where she first learned karate at the age of 4 years old.
Not pictured, karate.
Through years of training and hard work, Nunes’ career took her from Brazil to the U.S. In 2008, she had her first MMA match, which she lost by submission.
Amanda’s in white.
The loss didn’t deter her, and once she made the jump to the UFC, Nunes made the most out of it.
ICYMI: Amanda Nunes defeated Miesha Tate by first-round submission last night at #UFC200. https://t.co/LIpWZgz0K0 pic.twitter.com/kSWXnp6hrT
— ESPN (@espn) July 10, 2016
Nunes has won six out of her seven UFC fights and has won her last four fights.
With the help of her partner and trainer, Nina Ansaroff, Amanda shows just how far love can take a person, saying, “This girl, she helps me everyday. I love her.”
Nina was in her corner during the fight, and celebrated every moment.
“To have our very first openly gay champion shows you how far this sport has come.” – UFC vice president Dave Sholler.
Credit: UFC – Ultimate Fighting Championship / YouTube
“When you talk about all the great moments, having Amanda carry the flag literally and figuratively for the gay community is a seminal moment for our sport,” said Stoller to USA Today.
Such a sureal moment. I'm the Champion / Meu Deus Meu Deus muito Obrigada!!! Eu sou Campeã!!! ? pic.twitter.com/iJZ7nEQCQp
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) July 10, 2016
Nunes has also inspired the UFC to release a shirt with rainbow text featuring the phrase “We are all fighters.”
#ufc200 pic.twitter.com/wbMSLaCsMQ
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) July 9, 2016
After her historic victory, Nunes said, “The most important thing is I’m happy with my life. This is the most important thing.”
Love is love ? @ufc #AndNew ? pic.twitter.com/bE2OfbBkS2
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) July 12, 2016
Championships come and go, but love is always love.
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