The UFC 289 packed a number of enthralling bouts for the fans, but some of them might have been severely disheartened after its conclusion. Although the main event of the night featured a superb victory for the UFC champ-champ, Amanda Nunes, a number of fans were grieved after she announced her retirement following her victory that night. ‘The Lioness’ laid down both her UFC Featherweight and Bantamweight titles on the octagon floor along with her 4-ounce gloves to bid her final goodbye to the UFC.

It was apparent that women’s MMA in the UFC would be hugely affected by her departure. But currently, it’s an entire weight division that has come under jeopardy due to her retirement. Even the UFC supremo, Dana White, couldn’t help admitting that the entire women’s 145lbs division was under threat of discontinuation following Nunes’ departure.

What happens to UFC women’s 145lbs division now that Amanda Nunes has retired? 

Most UFC fans might know that the promotion introduced the women’s Featherweight division in 2017. The 145lbs division also stands as the heaviest weight category for females in the UFC. But the division didn’t see much success since its beginning. The number of fights held in this division was considerably lower than the fights in other weight divisions.

The UFC had also suffered from a lack of female fighters who primarily fought as Featherweights. Although the division had 24 women who signed and fought for the promotion, none of them really continued with the UFC’s Featherweight division for a long time. They either opted out of the UFC or moved to a lower weight class.

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A few former UFC women Flyweights who departed from the company were Megan Anderson and Cris Cyborg. While other Featherweights like Macy Chiasson and Holly Holm have gone down to Bantamweight, leaving the UFC Featherweight division on the verge of a collapse.

Who will fight for the vacant UFC women’s Bantamweight championship following Amanda Nunes’ retirement?

‘The Lioness’ had steamrolled almost the entire UFC Bantamweight division. She claimed the Bantamweight belt by defeating Miesha ‘Cupcake’ Tate at the UFC 200 in 2016. Since then, Nunes has been open to all her challengers and got the better of most of them. The only blemish on her UFC Bantamweight championship run came at the UFC 269 when she lost out her crown to her bitter rival, Julianna Pena.

However, ‘The Lioness’ roared loud at UFC 277. She showcased her true champions’ class as she reclaimed her lost Bantamweight title from Peña. It’s pertinent to note that it was Peña who was originally scheduled to take on Nunes at the main event of UFC 289. But she had to opt out of the bout due to a broken rib that she sustained while training.

Hence, it may be said that Peña will be one-half of the next UFC Bantamweight title bout. But there are a lot of questions regarding this as well. The UFC supremo Dana White also looked unsure about this issue.

At the post-UFC 289 press conference, a reporter questioned White whether we would see Peña fight for the title next. The UFC boss provided a hint, saying, “It would make a lot of sense,” but refrained from providing any concrete answer. Hence, looking at the current situation, nothing can be said surely.

Amanda Nunes’ retirement: ‘The Lioness’ doesn’t believe Julianna Peña can reclaim women’s bantamweight title

Nunes’ retirement at the UFC 289 was followed by a number of taunts from her archrival Julianna Pena. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ derided her Brazilian archrival by tweeting things like “I scared you so bad into retirement,” “Personally, Congratulations. Professionally, wtf was that?” and a few more. But, most UFC fans know how revengeful Nunes can be.

During her time at the post-UFC 289 press conference, the Brazilian went ballistic on Peña. “I don’t think so. I think Aldana can beat her. She[Peña] got lucky in that fight against me. She knows I wasn’t ready, but I proved it in the second fight and I don’t think she’s going to be a champion. She’s not ready. She’s not ready to be a champion.” 

Fans would be really interested to watch whether this prediction from ‘The Lioness’ turns out to be true or not.

Dana White: Women’s featherweight division probably end with Amanda Nunes’ retirement

As long as Amanda Nunes held the Featherweight championship, there were chances of someone challenging her at Featherweight. But with her departure and the vacated Featherweight title, pretty few fighters will probably be interested to move up to the already dying Featherweight division.

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At the post-UFC 289 press conference, the UFC boss, Dana White also revealed that Nunes’ retirement will probably be the curtains for the UFC women’s Featherweight division. After being questioned about the same, White stated, “The answer is probably yes. I mean, I don’t make these decisions right after a fight. You know, she told me when she walked over to the side of the cage that she was retiring. So yeah, I don’t know, but it makes sense.”

With the boss himself accepting the probable shutdown, fans won’t be left with much doubt about the future of the UFC Featherweight division. However, one of the beauties of this uncertain sport of MMA is that nothing can be said concretely about its incidents. So, do you expect that the UFC Featherweight division will continue despite the UFC boss’ hopelessness towards it?