Former top-ranked women’s bantamweight, UFC title challenger retires from MMA

Irene Aldana, a former UFC women's bantamweight title challenger and top-ranked 135-pound competitor, has retired from mixed martial arts at age 38, though she intends to remain active in combat sports.

Aldana, who compiled a 15-8 record, leaves behind a significant legacy in the women's bantamweight division. She ranks second all-time in significant strikes landed at 135 pounds with 1,028, trailing only Raquel Pennington (1,148), and holds numerous other records for appearances and striking output. Her last UFC appearance came in September 2024 at UFC 306, the second Noche UFC event, where she lost a decision to Norma Dumont in a grueling striking battle that left Dumont with a split forehead.

Two fights before that, Aldana challenged Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title but was unable to match Nunes' intensity, losing all five rounds with at least one scored as a 10-8. Despite not capturing gold, Aldana's résumé includes notable wins over Ketlen Vieira, Yana Santos, Macy Chiasson, and Karol Rosa.

Aldana confirmed her retirement in July 2026, having notified the UFC of her intention to step away earlier that year to focus on her health.