Nina Ansaroff: Amanda Nunes More Than Just Girl Who Beat Ronda Rousey

Nina Ansaroff: Amanda Nunes More Than Just Girl Who Beat Ronda Rousey

Nina Ansaroff, fighter and girlfriend of Amanda Nunes shares insights to the rise in popularity they have experienced.

Jul 8, 2017 by FloCombat Staff
Nina Ansaroff: Amanda Nunes More Than Just Girl Who Beat Ronda Rousey
For FloCombat via A.G Fight

Set to make her second UFC title defense this Saturday in the main event of UFC 213, women's bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes is slowly solidifying her position as an MMA star worldwide. The Brazilian, who existed with little popularity in regard to the general public for the longest time, gained notoriety when she defeated both Miesha Tate and superstar Ronda Rousey last year. These triumphs, though, came at a cost.

Few people know that as well as Nina Ansaroff. The champion's girlfriend is right in the middle of the heat next to her partner when she is being criticized and insulted by so-called fans on social media.

"For a lot of people, she's still just the girl who beat Rousey Ronda, not Amanda Nunes," Ansaroff told said. "But our life is good, win or lose, we'll be who we are. It doesn't change a lot, but it's easier to train and everything, and there are always people who say good things and people who talk sh*t. It will always be like this, no matter what happens."

Still, there's a price for the popularity. And as the champion's partner, Ansaroff is paying a part of it.

"It wouldn't be bad [to not get bothered so much], but there are times when you're having dinner or you're with your family and people are coming to ask you for things. It's not very cool, but fans are a big part of the sport and you have to be prepared. It is a part of it.

"You never know how to act when you become popular. This just happens and you're there. You have to be yourself and be careful what you do in public, because everything is being filmed."

And while that lifestyle isn't always the easiest, Ansaroff knows that she and her partner are able to push through it.

"I's tough, but she and I are very similar, we came from zero but we always had big plans. I wanted to be a soccer player and she wanted something great, too. We visualized it and it became reality."