Norma Dumont’s time in the UFC has come to an end, but the Brazilian fighter is already considering a new challenge, with a potential move to professional boxing in 2027.
Dumont announced her departure from the promotion on social media on Tuesday, November 10, revealing that she had requested her release despite having two fights remaining on her contract. The UFC granted her request, bringing an end to an eight-year relationship with the organisation.
The 36-year-old leaves the promotion with a 9-4 UFC record after making 13 appearances inside the Octagon. Although she had previously considered retirement, Dumont now appears interested in continuing her combat sports career outside the UFC.
In her announcement, Dumont explained that she had been informed the UFC was unlikely to renew her contract after her remaining fights. With a potential title opportunity appearing increasingly difficult to reach, she began questioning whether continuing with the promotion was the right decision. She also revealed that she and her partner, UFC middleweight Marco Tulio, had discussed retirement and starting a family. She had considered ending her fighting career by the end of 2027, or possibly earlier. However, an opportunity outside MMA has now given her a reason to reconsider those plans. Dumont expressed gratitude for her time with the UFC, crediting the promotion with helping her build her career, improve her financial situation and change the lives of people around her.
“I still had two fights left on my contract with the organization,” Dumont said, “but 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.
“So I started thinking, there’s no way I’m going to reach the title with only two fights left, so I started having those thoughts like, ‘Oh, I’m going to retire.’ I had already agreed with Marco Tulio that I would retire by the end of next year, or maybe even sooner, because we want to start a family.”
“We were approached by a major boxing promotion,” Dumont said, “which I have to admit is more appealing to me at the moment because I’ve always wanted to have a boxing match. It’s a major event, which is incredible. Spending this final year competing in boxing would be amazing for me. And there’s another MMA organization offering a title fight, and financially, both options make the move worthwhile.”
“I have to admit that I’m leaning a little more toward boxing,” she added. “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. But I can’t reveal anything yet. Everything is still being discussed and is confidential.”
Despite leaving the UFC, Dumont is not necessarily walking away from combat sports. The former bantamweight contender revealed that a major boxing promotion had approached her about a possible fight. She also received an offer from another MMA organisation that includes a title opportunity. According to Dumont, both options are financially attractive, but boxing currently appeals to her more.
She explained that she has always wanted to experience a professional boxing match and believes the opportunity could provide an exciting new chapter in her career. Although discussions are ongoing, she has not disclosed the name of the boxing promotion, a potential opponent or a date for her debut.
Dumont indicated that fans could see her competing in the boxing ring in 2027, although nothing has been finalised.
Dumont made her UFC debut in February 2020 against Megan Anderson, suffering a first-round knockout defeat. She recovered from that setback and gradually established herself as a contender in the women’s bantamweight division. One of the strongest periods of her UFC career came between 2022 and 2025, when she put together a six-fight winning streak. That run included notable victories over former women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie, Irene Aldana and Ketlen Vieira.
Her momentum eventually stalled with consecutive unanimous decision defeats to Joselyne Edwards and Ailin Perez. Her September 2026 loss to Perez proved to be her final appearance in the Octagon. Dumont’s departure leaves her next career move open, with boxing currently appearing to be her preferred option. The possibility of competing for an MMA title elsewhere also remains on the table, meaning her decision may not necessarily mark the end of her mixed martial arts career.
For now, the Brazilian is taking time to consider her options before making an official announcement.
After 13 UFC appearances and several important victories in the women’s bantamweight division, Dumont could be preparing for a completely different challenge in 2027.
