Irene Aldana retires from UFC after nearly two years away
MMA Fighting • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 18, 2026, 1:18 AM
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
Irene Aldana, a former UFC title challenger, has officially retired from mixed martial arts, as confirmed by sources close to her decision. Aldana, who holds a career record of 15-8 and an 8-6 record in the UFC, has not fought since September 2024. She notified UFC officials of her retirement plans prior to being removed from the roster. Aldana, known for her exciting fighting style, made her UFC debut in December 2016 and challenged Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title in June 2023, losing by unanimous decision. She earned five performance bonuses throughout her UFC career.
- •Aldana retires at age 38 after nearly two years without a fight.
- •She was removed from the UFC roster following her retirement notice.
- •Aldana's notable victories included Ketlen Vieira and Bethe Correia.
- •She made her UFC debut in December 2016 and fought 14 times for the promotion.
- •Her last fight was a loss to Norma Dumont in September 2024.
- 5:00 PMMMA Fighting — UFC veteran Irene Aldana retires from MMA ‘to prioritize my health’
- 1:18 AMYahoo Sports — Former UFC title challenger Irene Aldana retires
"Irene Aldana has decided to hang up her MMA gloves. The one-time UFC bantamweight title challenger was removed from the UFC roster earlier that day despite being ranked in the top-15 of the women’s 135-pound division, as MMA Fighting first reported, and now the reason is known. “After a year and a half of deep reflection,” Aldana wrote on her Instagram stories Friday. “I have finally found the courage to make the hardest decision of my life: to prioritize my health, even though it means stepping away from fighting.” The 38-year-old Mexican leaves the sport with an overall record of 15-8 with 11 of her wins coming by way of stoppage, victorious in eight of her 14 octagon appearances over nearly a decade. Aldana left the octagon for the first time in September 2024 with a gruesome cut on her forehead after losing a decision to Norma Dumont. Aldana won five bonuses throughout her UFC career, including extra $50,000 checks for her knockouts over Ketlen Vieira and Macy Chiasson. The Chiasson finish in 2022 earned her a shot at the UFC title against Amanda Nunes, a match she lost via decision.
"One of the most exciting female fighters in UFC history (by the bonuses) quietly notified the UFC of her retirement.
Sources
External links- MMA FightingJul 18, 2026, 5:00 PMUFC veteran Irene Aldana retires from MMA ‘to prioritize my health’
Irene Aldana has decided to hang up her MMA gloves. The one-time UFC bantamweight title challenger was removed from the UFC roster earlier that day despite being ranked in the top-15 of the women’s 135-pound division, as MMA Fighting first reported, and now the reason is known. “After a year and a half of deep reflection,” Aldana wrote on her Instagram stories Friday. “I have finally found the courage to make the hardest decision of my life: to prioritize my health, even though it means stepping away from fighting.” The 38-year-old Mexican leaves the sport with an overall record of 15-8 with 11 of her wins coming by way of stoppage, victorious in eight of her 14 octagon appearances over nearly a decade. Aldana left the octagon for the first time in September 2024 with a gruesome cut on her forehead after losing a decision to Norma Dumont. Aldana won five bonuses throughout her UFC career, including extra $50,000 checks for her knockouts over Ketlen Vieira and Macy Chiasson. The Chiasson finish in 2022 earned her a shot at the UFC title against Amanda Nunes, a match she lost via decision.
- Yahoo SportsJul 18, 2026, 1:18 AMFormer UFC title challenger Irene Aldana retires
One of the most exciting female fighters in UFC history (by the bonuses) quietly notified the UFC of her retirement.
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