2021 Panini Prizm UFC
Breaking Barriers: Amanda Nunes A.K.A UFC’s “The Lioness” – Amanda Nunes’ name roars for itself. Nunes, also known as “The Lioness,” or “Leoa,” in her native Brazilian Portuguese, is one of the biggest names in the Ultimate Fighting Championship to date.
The list of “firsts” and “mosts” that Nunes has amassed on the women’s side of the sport is staggering. More amazing yet, is the feat that she holds over the entire sport, men included. Amanda Nunes is the only UFC fighter to actively hold and defend two titles in two different divisions. She has held the Bantamweight title since July of 2016 and the Featherweight title since December of 2018. She is set to defend the Bantamweight title once again this summer against Julianna Pena. All of that, along with a UFC record of 21-4, has her solidly placed as the all-time great of the sport.
2013 Topps UFC Bloodlines RC
Nunes made her professional debut in 2008, but she was training and fighting long before that. A rambunctious child, her mother encouraged Nunes to participate in sports. She began martial arts lessons at the age of five. At 16, she started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and at 17, in Judo. She made the decision to live at her gym, the only female at the time, to hone her craft. That gym, whose logo was two lions, is where she gained the nickname that stuck, “The Lioness.”
Nunes can certainly draw a crowd to the cage. Four Pay Per View bouts alone brought in 2,294,000 PPV buys. However, she is also making an impact outside of the octagon. She has endorsement deals that have spread her name and likeness to a greater population.
This is a woman who is breaking barriers inside of the Octagon and out. Holding a piece of her legacy in hand is a goal that collectors should have on their list. Collectors can find Amanda Nunes cards, signatures, and other memorabilia dating back to her first card from 2013 Topps UFC Bloodlines and her first autograph from 2014. Her most recent cards and autographs are available in the 2021 Panini Prizm UFC that recently released on April 28th, 2021.
Breaking Barriers: Amanda Nunes A.K.A UFC’s “The Lioness” – Resources
Breaking Barriers: Amanda Nunes A.K.A UFC’s “The Lioness” – Image Gallery
Libby Koch was first brought into the sports fandom by her childhood babysitter, Alice, a true baseball fan. While baseball is Libby’s first love, the stories of athletes and their lives have drawn her into all areas of the sporting world and the collecting hobby. During the week, she is a High School Special Education teacher. In her free time, she writes, reads, and binge watches games, matches, races, ends, and several TV series. She lives in Kansas City, MO with her husband, son, and daughter, who are all collecting enthusiasts. You can find her on twitter @LibbyKoch1 and on Instagram at libbykochwrites.
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