R. Rousey shared a video showing her newborn daughter. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Few people suffer as much as a fighter's mother. But what about when the mother herself is the one stepping into the octagon? With the UFC's rise to become the largest fighting organization on the planet, the sport that was once dominated by men is now seeing more and more women conquering their space - many of them already with children.
On this Mother's Day, the SUPER FIGHTS pays tribute to the warriors who, in addition to facing the weight of training and battles inside the cage, also carry the most challenging and rewarding title of all: that of mother.
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The trajectory of women in the UFC, only allowed in 2013, has evolved to include mothers who face physical and emotional struggles. Zingano cat, a pioneer as the first mother in the octagon in 2013, today sees her story also being present in new generations.
Maternal inspiration also shaped icons such as Ronda Rousey, whose mother, AnnMaria DeMars, introduced her to judo after her father's death. The former champion, now retired, credits her mother with not only the techniques, but also the mentality to win. And she also passes on the teachings to her two daughters, La'akea Makalapuaokalanipō Browne, born in 2021, and the second, Liko'ula Pā'ūomahinakaipiha Browne, born in 2025, the result of a relationship with fellow former fighter Travis Brownie.
Mothers and MMA: a meaning of love!
Today's generation of female fighters faces unique obstacles. Mackenzie dern, Moa's mother, told ESPN how her unexpected pregnancy in 2017 impacted her career. She, however, shared her story with followers who have followed her every step of the way.
“When I announced I was pregnant, I lost so many sponsorships, fans, and people who said I would never come back… Then I realized it really is hard. I gained a lot of female fans, who I believe will support me even when I stop fighting. They want to see the journey, to see this motherhood thing and not just as a beautiful woman who is fighting. It was also good to have this exchange of fans,” she said.
Miesha Tate, former UFC champion and mother of two, emphasizes the need for training adapted to female biology. After a hiatus to care for her children, she returned in 2025, in UFC Des Moines with new philosophy.
“I’ve never had a job as important as being a mother, I take it very seriously. I love my children very much, so I always try to prioritize them. But I still love fighting very much. Men have 24-hour hormonal cycles; we have 28-day cycles. Training as a woman has elevated my game (…), injuries and domestic responsibilities delay careers, but they also make us examples of resilience”, she said, in an interview with Ag Fight.
The Lioness and her 'little lion'
N. Ansaroff (left) and A. Nunes (right) are first-time mothers. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @amanda_leoa
Amanda nunes, considered the greatest fighter in the history of MMA, and nina nunes They built a unique narrative in sports: they combined victories, love and motherhood. Married since 2018, the two have faced challenges together that go beyond the octagon.
Nina, after a career marked by ups and downs — including an emotional victory in her farewell fight in 2022 —, decided to retire to prioritize her family and support Amanda, who at the time still dominated two categories in the UFC.
Together, they became mothers of Reagan Ann in 2020, a daughter who transformed the 'Lioness' training routine into a mix of personalized mouth guards with the little one's name and plane trips with the 'quiet' baby on her lap.
Dreams come true…
José Aldo, featherweight legend who retired last Saturday (10) at UFC 315, not only bought a house for his mother, but also fulfilled a childhood dream: bringing her sea water from Rio de Janeiro.
“She cried when she saw that her stories had become my reality,” the former champion told UFC.
mawan amirkhani, in his UFC debut in 2015, used part of the US$50 prize money to give his mother a gift.
“She slept in the living room to give us bedrooms. Now, she will have a bed that ‘flies’,” joked the fighter at a press conference, referring to quality furniture.
Mother's Day!
On this Mother's Day, we celebrate not only this important day, but also those who, day after day, conquer the most noble title of all in the UFC: that of a fighting mother. Whether with gloves in their hands or with their children in their arms, these women prove every day that courage has no gender and that a mother's love is strength even in the toughest battles. In the octagon and in life, they continue to fight – for victories, for respect and, above all, for a better future for those they love most.
Read More about: Amanda nunes, Zingano cat, Mother's Day, Jose aldo, Mackenzie dern, mawan amirkhani, Miesha Tate, nina nunes, Ronda Rousey, UFC
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