When Amanda Nunes won the UFC bantamweight gold, she became the first openly gay athlete to wear the strap. Her wife, Nina Nunes, now retired, was also a UFC strawweight contender during her time. Over the years, ‘The Lioness‘ went on to become an indestructible force inside the Octagon. However, contrary to what people think, the lovely couple has a soft side to them once outside the cage.
The Pojuca native has always been open and honest about who she was and loving Nina. Their collective courage in discussing their lives seems to continue resonating with people. Amanda was never one to hide her s*xuality. Her relationship with then-girlfriend Nina Ansaroff remained common knowledge in the MMA world.
Family ❤️
[ @NinaAnsaroff @Amanda_Leoa | #UFCSanDiego ] pic.twitter.com/N6gxqa89X8
— UFC (@ufc) August 13, 2022
Up until UFC 200 in 2016, the fact that she’d be the first openly gay champion, however, was not discussed. She never raised the subject in pre-fight pressers and nobody seemed to ask her about it. But when someone raised the subject, she was happy to respond.
Nunes defeated Miesha Tate in the main event of UFC 200 before she appeared at the post-fight press conference. When a journalist asked her whether she is proud to be “the first openly gay champion in the history of the UFC.” Amanda was unequivocal in her response.
“This is amazing,” Amanda answered. “The most important thing is I’m happy with my life. This is the more important thing.”
Nunes also professed her admiration for her then-girlfriend and fellow UFC athlete, Nina. She said, “Nina is the best training partner I ever have (had) in my life. She means everything to me. She helps me every day … I love her.”
Then-UFC VP of public relations, Dave Sholler also spoke on the monumental moment. “To have our very first openly gay champion shows you how far this sport has come,” Sholler said. “Amanda is an incredible ambassador. 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.”
Amanda and Nina Nunes on being role models for LGBT youth
Both Amanda Nunes and Nina didn’t realize until 2017 that they were making an impact on the LGBT community. For the duo, it was pretty simple and something they never put a label on. Though they started dating in 2013, the two never officially came out publicly.
At a UFC 207 media scrum, Nina discussed the subject of how important they’d become for the LGBT world. “It actually taught us something as well,” She said. “We never thought of it as something that needed to be recognized other than we just post pictures together, because we’re together.”
“But when we started both getting e-mails from people having difficulty and struggling with sexuality and stuff, it made us realize maybe we need to be a little bit stronger about this to help these people,” she continued.
Nina and Nunes never hid anything before. But they’re much more public about their sexuality. Not for themselves, but for individuals with similar orientations, to show that it’s okay to be who you are.
Nina elaborated, “It’s an accountability thing, I believe. I’m not a representative of the LGBT community. I wouldn’t say that either one of us are like well-educated on it, to be honest with you … But it helped us realize that maybe we need to be. If it changes someone or helps somebody, I’m all for it.”
In 2017, Equality California, a renowned LGBTQ non-profit org honored Amanda with the Equality Visibility Award. Amanda said, “There will always be people out there looking up to us … Love is love. When people realize how love is powerful, this world is gonna be a better place.”
On that same path, the duo sees a little more openness than before. Nina mentioned how they keep getting emails from young men and women. Some of them want to begin training in MMA, while others have a hard time dealing with their sexuality. As of now, Amanda and Nina continue to embrace their visibility as role models.
Amanda on her struggles before coming out of the closet
As Pride Month hits June of 2021, UFC power couple Amanda and Nina shared words of wisdom with others within their community. Supporters see the two as success symbols within the LGBT community, as the latter continues inspiring females of any s*xual orientation.
The couple took part in a Pride Q&A by ESPN at the time. During the session, the two offered advice to those within the community who may want it. They also offered to serve additional support if need be.
Nina started off by saying, “A lot of people that are homophobic, or they don’t know how to act around gay people, if they meet one couple it can change their mind about everything. I feel like if we can do that for a little boy or little girl that’s struggling because their parents don’t know how to accept them, we are so down to do it.”
Post this, Amanda chimed in and added, “Don’t hesitate to reach (out to) us. I feel like we can help for sure, and I’m going to be happy. I did that before … I knew I liked girls since I was little, so I know how hard it is to live with that.”
“Sometimes you have to lie and say you like a boy in your class just to fit in that group. I know all those things because I had to (do it),” she continued.
Just like many, the Brazilian had to go through growing pains as well. This included coming out of the closet to a family that held traditional values. Amanda then revealed that it was her sister who spoke on her behalf to their parents. She said, “I also (came from a) small-town family, so you know how it is, especially in Brazil.”
“So I saw things inside my house that made me afraid to talk to my mother about it. And I didn’t. My sister found out and she did the job for me,” Nunes concluded.
How many kids does ‘The Lioness’ have?
‘The Lioness’ has been around in the UFC for almost a decade now. She has achieved everything an athlete can dream of. The same seems to be the case for her life outside the Octagon.
This is what life is about ❤️ @NinaAnsaroff pic.twitter.com/T6CrFMxth3
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) August 1, 2022
For fans unaware, Amanda and Nina crossed paths while both were newcomers in the promotion. They happened to meet each other in a gym. The duo started dating in 2013. After 5 years of a blossomed relationship, the lovebirds announced their engagement in 2018, followed by their nuptials in 2019.
A year after getting married, the couple welcomed a new addition to the Nunes family. They had a baby girl named Raegan Ann Nunes on September 24, 2020. In 2022, the power couple marked Raegan’s second birthday and they shared it through an Instagram post.
Earlier this year, the happy couple celebrated a milestone marking 10 years of being together as well. Furthermore, child #2 is currently on the way for the Nunes family. Nina made the announcement in April of this year with the caption – “We can’t wait to see your little face, Hazel Ann Nunes.” This wholesome news may have added extra fire to the already towering inferno that is Amanda’s MMA career.