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MMA

10th Jul 2016

Amanda Nunes comments on becoming the first openly gay champion in UFC history

"I am so happy with my life!"

Darragh Murphy

Congratulations to Brazil’s Amanda Nunes, who will forever be known as the fighter to have been victorious in the main event of the most publicised UFC pay-per-view of all time.

Nunes, an underdog according to bookmakers, stormed Miesha Tate in the UFC 200 headliner and claimed the women’s bantamweight title by submitting ‘Cupcake’ in the first round via rear naked choke.

With the victory, Nunes also became the first openly gay champion in UFC history and that fact was not lost on her in the post-fight press conference.

“This is amazing,” she said.

“More importantly, I am so happy with my life. That’s the most important thing.”

Nunes is in a relationship with UFC strawweight fighter Nina Ansaroff and there was an emotional moment at the press conference when Nunes praised Ansaroff for all that she’s done for her, personally and professionally.

“Nina is the best training partner I’ve ever had in my life,” she said. “This girl is going to be the next UFC champion, I’m telling you.”

“Look at her, she’s shy,” Nunes said as Ansaroff sheepishly covered her face with a towel. “This girl has so many talents and she’s going to get back in the cage soon and show everybody she’s going to be the next champion in the UFC.

“It means everything to me. This girl, she helps me every day. She’s going to cry! I love her.”

UFC 200: Tate v Nunes

Both Nunes and Ansaroff train out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida about 200 miles south of Orlando where the horrific Pulse nightclub massacre took place last month.

“It was very sad,” Nunes said of the shooting that claimed the lives of 49 people at a gay nightclub.

“I wish that these things didn’t happen anymore. Peace in the world is very important and I don’t think the USA is going to let this happen again. I think it’s going to stop.”

SNAPCHAT