In a surprising development for the upper echelon of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s women’s bantamweight division, top-ranked contender Norma Dumont has officially parted ways with the promotion. The Brazilian standout, who held the No. 4 spot in the official UFC 135-pound rankings, announced her departure on social media, revealing that she formally requested and was granted her release from the organization after an eight-year tenure inside the Octagon.
Known to fans by her moniker “The Immortal,” Dumont leaves the promotion with a very respectable 9-4 record across 13 fights, bringing her overall professional mixed martial arts statistics to 13 victories and just 4 defeats. Her exit comes at a notable juncture in her career, having recently experienced back-to-back setbacks inside the Octagon. Those recent losses came via decision against Joselyne Edwards and Ailin Perez, halting momentum that had previously established her as a formidable presence near the top of the division.
Dumont addressed her departure in a heartfelt social media post on Tuesday, expressing gratitude to the promotion and its worldwide fanbase while hinting at what comes next in her combat sports journey.
“Thank you UFC for the 8 years together. Thank you to all UFC fans and we’ll see you soon,” Dumont wrote in a brief statement accompanying a more detailed video message explaining the underlying factors that led to her release.
In the video portion of her statement, translated by MMA Fighting, Dumont opened up about the candid conversations she had regarding her future with the promotion and how those realizations ultimately influenced her decision to walk away while still under contract.
“I still had two fights left on my contract with the organization,” Dumont explained in the video. “Pero even before my last fight, when I still had three fights remaining, I already had information that the UFC probably wouldn’t renew my contract once those fights were over. And I had already been told that the UFC wouldn’t renew it after my final two fights either.”
Faced with the reality that the promotion did not view her long-term future as part of their roster plans, Dumont began evaluating her options. She admitted that upon realizing securing a championship opportunity within her remaining two contracted bouts was statistically and practically unlikely, she seriously contemplated hanging up her gloves altogether. Beyond the athletic hurdles, the 36-year-old fighter has personal aspirations that include starting a family, making a definitive exit from MMA an increasingly attractive proposition.
However, retirement may have to wait, as Dumont’s combat sports career has potentially opened an entirely new chapter. Despite the winding down of her MMA tenure, the Brazilian veteran revealed that she has recently been approached by a boxing promoter. The prospect of stepping into the squared circle has clearly reignited her competitive fire, suggesting that her athletic days are far from over.
“I have to admit that I’m leaning a little more toward boxing,” she stated, highlighting the fresh motivation the opportunity has provided. “I think it would be a really cool transition, an incredible opportunity, and I felt that excitement again. I think it’s going to be great, and I believe you’ll see me boxing next year.”
While Dumont appears confident that her next athletic venture will take place inside a boxing ring in the near future, specific details regarding the promotion, potential opponents, or a definitive debut date remain tightly under wraps. She noted that the exact details concerning where and for whom she will compete remain confidential for the time being.
Dumont’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for the UFC’s bantamweight and featherweight landscapes. Over the course of her eight-year stint with the promotion, “The Immortal” established herself as a durable, highly technical competitor who consistently squared off against top-tier competition. Her resume inside the Octagon features high-profile victories over some of the most respected names in the sport, including former UFC featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie, as well as standout contenders Ketlen Vieira and Irene Aldana.
As Norma Dumont turns the page on her mixed martial arts career and looks ahead to a potential career in professional boxing, she leaves behind a legacy as a fixture of the UFC’s elite weight classes. Whether she successfully makes the leap to the boxing ring next year remains to be seen, but her departure ensures that a notable contender spot in the bantamweight division is now wide open.
