Three fighters from Mexico have claimed UFC gold in 2023 already. Irene Aldana is looking to become number four as she challenges Amanda Nunes for the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 289 on June 10.
UFC 289 takes place at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The first UFC event in Canada since 2019 airs on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S.
Born in Culiacan, Aldana turned pro in 2012 and joined the UFC in 2016. A former Xtreme Kombat and Invicta fighter, Aldana is on a two-fight win streak. She has faced (and lost to) the likes of Raquel Pennington and Holly Holm, two women Nunes has already beaten.
“Robles” relishes the opportunity to fight for gold against someone like Nunes.
“I’m fighting the greatest of all time,” Aldana said via MMA Junkie. “I respect Amanda a lot. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and we’re ready. Having the opportunity is already big for me. To be able to perform and to share the octagon with Amanda is already the biggest accomplishment ever.”
MORE: Sign up to watch the UFC 289 PPV, exclusively on ESPN+
Nunes is the first champion in the UFC to hold gold in two divisions and defend them simultaneously. “The Lioness” took the bantamweight title from Julianna Pena at UFC 277 in July after losing the belt at UFC 269. She was supposed to face Pena in a trilogy bout, however, broken ribs for Pena prevented that from happening. While fighting Pena was challenging, Nunes believes competing against Aldana is a bigger threat.
“(Aldana) is a very talented girl,” Nunes told Jon Anik via MMA News. “Obviously she was right in the corner to get an opportunity. I feel like she is more technical as well. She’s more dangerous; knockout power and all those things. I feel like she has very good counterpunches, so I’ve gotta watch out for those moments. Also, in the takedowns, she has good transitions when she gets close to the floor. Yeah, I feel like this is a good opponent, and I know she’s ready.”
The Sporting News looks into the purse history of these two fighters and what they may earn at UFC 289.
Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana fight purse, prize money
The official UFC 289 purse has not yet been revealed. Previous payouts for Nunes and Aldana could help provide insight into how much they will earn.
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Per The Sports Daily, when she won the UFC bantamweight title against Miesha Tate in 2016, Nunes made $180,000. Against Ronda Rousey a few months later, Nunes made $290,000. Defeating Cris Cyborg for the UFC featherweight title in 2018, Nunes made $440,000.
When she faced Julianna Pena at UFC 269, Nunes took home $442,000. In the rematch at UFC 277, in July 2022, she reportedly earned $450,000, per Sports Zion.
When Aldana faced Tonya Evinger in 2015 for the Invicta FC bantamweight title, she reportedly earned $5,000, per The Sports Daily. She earned $64,500 in her UFC debut in 2016 against Leslie Smith. Aldana took home $66,100 against Bethe Correia, taking a piece of her opponent’s purse when Correia missed weight. Her highest salary win before becoming a contender was $135,000 when she beat Ketlen Vieira in 2019.
Per MMA Salaries, Aldana received $141,000 at UFC 279 in September when she defeated Macy Chiasson via KO. Her base salary was $40,000.
What is Amanda Nunes’ net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Nunes has a net worth of about $4 million.
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Comparing her to other champions in the UFC, Jon Jones has a net worth of $3 million. Israel Adesanya also has a net worth of $4 million.
What is Irene Aldana’s’ net worth?
Per Media Referee, Aldana has a net worth of around $1 million.
When is UFC 289: Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana?
- Date: Saturday, June 10 | Sunday, June 11
- FIGHT PASS Prelims: 6 p.m. ET | 11 p.m. BST | 8 a.m. AEST
- Prelims: 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. BST | 10 a.m. AEST
- Main card: 10 p.m. ET | 3 a.m. BST | 12 p.m. AEST
- Main event: 12:15 a.m. ET | 5:15 a.m. BST | 2:15 p.m. AEST (approx.)
UFC 289 takes place on June 10. The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET | 11 p.m. BST | 8 a.m. AEST, followed by the prelims at 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. BST | 10 a.m. AEST. The UFC 289 main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET | 3 a.m. BST | 12 p.m. AEST.
Nunes and Aldana should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET | 5:15 a.m. BST | 2:15 p.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch UFC 289: Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Sat. June 10 | ESPN+, ESPN PPV |
| Canada | Sat. June 10 | BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
| United Kingdom | Sun. June 11 | BT Sport |
| Australia | Sun. June 11 | Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass |
The main card for UFC 289 is available in the U.S. and Mexico on the ESPN+ subscription streaming service for a pay-per-view cost. Earlier fights are viewable live on ESPN+.
In Canada, the main card pay-per-view is available on BELL, Rogers, Shaw, SaskTel, Videotron, Telus, Eastlink, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.
MORE: Sign up to watch the UFC 289 PPV, exclusively on ESPN+
In the United Kingdom, the main card will be available on BT Sport, with the prelims available on UFC Fight Pass.
In Australia, the main card will be on Main Event, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV, and UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass.
Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana PPV price: How much does UFC 289 cost?
- $79.99 (current ESPN+ subscribers)
- $124.98 (new subscribers)
In the U.S., the UFC 289 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 289 is $79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $124.98 for the UFC 289 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $9.99/month |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $99.99/year |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $12.99/month |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $19.99/month |
| UFC PPV Standalone | $79.99 each |
| UFC PPV Package (UFC PPV & ESPN+ Annual) | $124.98, then $99.99/year |
| UFC PPV & The Disney Bundle |
$79.99, then $12.99/month |
Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.
UFC 289 fight card
Main card
- Amanda Nunes (c) vs. Irene Aldana for the UFC bantamweight title
- Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush; Lightweights
- Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt; Welterweights
- Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr; Featherweights
- Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Eryk Anders; Middleweights
Prelims
- Matt Schnell vs. David Dvorak; Flyweights
- Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Chris Daukaus; Light Heavyweights
- Nassourdine Imavov vs. Chris Curtis; Middleweights
- Hakeem Dawodu vs. Lucas Almeida; Featherweights
Early Prelims
- Aiemann Zahabi vs. Aori Qileng; Bantamweights
- Kyle Nelson vs. Blake Bilder; Featherweights
- Diana Belbita vs. Maria Oliveira; Strawweights
- Miranda Maverick vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius; Flyweights
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