Josiane Nunes

Josiane Nunes (born December 23, 1993) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA fighter since 2013, she has competed in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Nunes started her professional MMA career in 2013 and amassed a record of 7–1 prior to signing with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Nunes was scheduled to face Zarah Fairn on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum. Fairn weighed in at 147 pounds, eight pounds over the 139-pound catchweight limit. (The bantamweight fight was moved to a catchweight prior to the start of the weigh-ins.) The bout against Nunes was canceled due to the weight discrepancy after Nunes weighed in at 136 pounds.

Making her UFC debut, Nunes faced Bea Malecki at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum on August 21, 2021. She won the bout via knockout in round one. This win earned her a Performance of the Night award.

Nunes was scheduled to face Wu Yanan on February 26, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green. However, Wu was pulled from the fight for undisclosed reasons and she was replaced by promotional newcomer Jennifer Gonzalez. In turn, Gonzalez was released from UFC one week ahead of the event for undisclosed reasons (later revealed to be related to an USADA incident). She was replaced by promotional newcomer Ramona Pascual. Nunes won the bout by unanimous decision. In April 2022, she reached No. 8 in World Women's Featherweight rankings according to Fight Matrix.

The match between Nunes and Fairn was rescheduled for January 21, 2023, at UFC 283. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nunes faced Chelsea Chandler on March 16, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 239 in what was originally scheduled to be a bantamweight bout. At the weigh-in, Chelsea weighed in at 137 pounds, one pound over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Chandler was fined 20% of her purse which went to Nunes. Nunes lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Nunes faced Jacqueline Cavalcanti on August 24, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 62. She lost the fight by split decision.

Nunes faced Priscila Cachoeira on March 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 254. She lost the fight by knockout via an uppercut in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Priscila Cachoeira KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jacqueline Cavalcanti Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Borralho

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Chelsea Chandler Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Zarah Fairn Decision (unanimous) UFC 283

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Ramona Pascual Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bea Malecki KO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Quezia Zbonik TKO (punches) Forze MMA 1

Curitiba, Brazil Win

Dione Barbosa de Lima TKO (punches) Katana Fight 10

Curitiba, Brazil Win

Juliana Araujo KO (punch) Curitiba Top Fight 12

Curitiba, Brazil Win

Ariele Ribeiro KO (punches) Sicario MMA 4

Curitiba, Brazil Win

Laisa Coimbra TKO (punches) Striker's House Cup 82

Curitiba, Brazil Win

Areane Monteiro Decision (split) Elite Fazenda Combat 2

Fazenda Rio Grande, Brazil Loss

Taila Santos Decision (unanimous) Striker's House Cup 31

Curitiba, Brazil Win

Elaine Albuquerque KO (punches) União Fight Combat 1

União da Vitória, Brazil