It was clear to everyone watching that Irene Aldana did not have a good night against double-champ Amanda Nunes at UFC 298 this past weekend and she’s now vowed never to put on a lackluster performance like that again.
“It was an honor to face Amanda Nunes incredible Athlete and Fighter. (GOAT),” Aldana wrote on Twitter.
“I’m sorry to have failed my coaches and all of you, I assure you that this does not stay like this… it was a bad night. But the goal is still clear and the Objective is still that 4th belt… I promised you and I’m going to fulfill it… whatever the cost.
“I have already identified this blockage, I know what I have to do and this will NOT happen again… I give you my word! I’II be back for all those people who believe in me. If I have learned anything from this sport, it is to always get up.
“For now I am going to return to the gym as soon as possible and work Very Hard to earn that second chance.
“Always thanks to everyone for so much support and love… and mainly thanks to my coaches and all my team for being at the foot of the canyon in good times and bad. The promise is especially for you.
It certainly did look like a mental block that hindered Aldana throughout most of the fight, with her overly-cautious, gun-shy approach meaning that she never really had a chance to learn how her striking would have matched up against the champion.
She’ll never get the opportunity to right that wrong against Nunes specifically since ‘The Lioness’ announced her retirement immediately after the fight, and though the vacant title will now be up for grabs her underwhelming performance ensures that she will have to prove herself in another fight or two before she’d in consideration for another shot at the belt.
