Amanda Nunes credits relationship with making her a better fighter

It’s no secret that UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes has been on a tear of the women’s bantamweight division since being signed to the UFC in 2013.

Nunes started her UFC career by going 2-0 with the promotion, TKOing Sheila Gaff at UFC 163, and then Germaine de Randamie at ‘UFC Fight for the Troops: 3’ in 2013. Nunes then had her two-fight win streak snapped by Cat Zingano in 2014, but bounced back by rattling off four straight wins in 2015 and 2016. Included in her 4-fight win streak was her recent UFC 200 submission win over Miesha Tate which saw Nunes win the UFC championship.

Now, ahead of her UFC 207 title defense against Ronda Rousey this Friday on December 30th, Nunes believes that it’s her relationship with fellow UFC fighter Nina Ansaroff that has helped her become such a great fighter.

She spoke to MMAJunkie:

“It helps me to be calm because I know Nina understands. She knows everything that goes into being a fighter, so I don’t have to explain why I am doing this or that. Sometimes getting ready to fight is a difficult time, but she makes it easy for me, and I try to do the same for her.”

“For sure, being in a relationship with someone who understands what is going on helps my fighting,” Nunes said. “But on the other side because we are fighters helps to make the relationship stronger. We understand the work that we put in and we respect each other. We met through fighting, and it brings us closer. If I am cutting weight, she helps. This has helped make me champion.”

Ansaroff, who can usually be seen in the corner of Nunes, had high praise for her longtime girlfriend:

“She has this drive and confidence that nothing is going to stand in her way. She doesn’t need anyone telling her how good she is. I have seen it grow over time, and she knows she is where she belongs, right at the top of women’s MMA. It is going to take a heck of a lot to take that away from her, whoever you are.”