BREAKING: Amanda Nunes Set for Shocking UFC Return Against Kayla Harrison
Hold onto your gloves, fight fans! The GOAT is coming back to reclaim her throne.
In what might be the biggest women’s MMA news of the year, sources close to the situation have revealed that Amanda Nunes is planning a spectacular return to the UFC. Her target? None other than newly crowned women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison.
The Lioness Roars Again
When Amanda Nunes announced her retirement after defeating Irene Aldana at UFC 289, the MMA world collectively gasped. The double-champ, arguably the greatest female fighter ever, was hanging up her gloves at the peak of her powers. But as I’ve seen countless times covering this sport for over a decade – retirements in MMA often have an asterisk attached.
Now, just months after Kayla Harrison captured UFC gold with her dominant performance against Raquel Pennington, Nunes appears ready to write one more chapter in her legendary career.
“I’ve been hearing whispers about this comeback for weeks,” I told my podcast listeners last month. “The competitive fire never really goes out for the true greats.”
A Clash of Olympic Proportions
This potential matchup isn’t just another title fight – it’s a collision of two of the most decorated female combat sports athletes ever:
| Fighter | MMA Record | Championships | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amanda Nunes | 22-5 | UFC Double Champion (BW/FW) | BJJ Black Belt |
| Kayla Harrison | 16-1 | UFC BW Champion, 2x PFL Champion | 2x Olympic Gold Medalist (Judo) |
The Timing Couldn’t Be Better
Harrison’s rise to UFC gold has been meteoric. After dominating the PFL, many questioned if she could handle the UFC’s elite. Her demolition of Pennington answered those questions emphatically. But beating the woman who beat the woman who beat the GOAT isn’t the same as beating the GOAT herself.
For Nunes, this represents the perfect storm – a chance to reclaim her legacy against an opponent with massive name recognition outside the MMA bubble. Olympic gold medals carry weight that even casual sports fans understand.
“Anyone Can Get It”
What makes this story even juicier is Nunes’ apparent willingness to take on all comers. According to my sources, her exact words were that “Kayla Harrison, and anyone else at the top of the division can get it.”
This opens up tantalizing possibilities for fights against:
- Julianna Peña (the only woman to finish Nunes in the UFC)
- Mayra Bueno Silva (top contender with dangerous submission skills)
- Irene Aldana (for a retirement-fight rematch)
Why Now?
The timing of Nunes’ potential return makes perfect sense when you look at the landscape. The division has new blood at the top, creating fresh matchups that weren’t available during her reign. Harrison represents something Nunes never got to face – an Olympic-level judoka with comparable physical strength.
Plus, let’s be honest – the payday for this fight would be massive. Two dominant champions colliding always sells PPVs.
What This Means for Women’s MMA
I’ve covered women’s MMA since before the UFC even had female fighters, and I can tell you this potential comeback is monumental. Nunes vs. Harrison would likely headline a major PPV event – something still relatively rare for women’s divisions outside of Rousey’s era.
More importantly, it creates a clear narrative that casual fans can understand: The Greatest Ever versus The Olympic Champion. These are the kinds of storylines that elevate entire divisions.
The Bantamweight Ripple Effect
Should Nunes return, the entire 135-pound division gets reshuffled. Contenders who were positioning for title shots now potentially face longer waits. The flipside? Being the fighter who welcomes back Amanda Nunes would be a career-defining opportunity.
For fighters like Peña, who has been campaigning for a trilogy fight, this news must be particularly intriguing.
When Could We See This Happen?
While no official date has been set, the UFC typically likes to book these super-fights for their major events. International Fight Week in July would be perfect timing, giving both fighters adequate training camps.
Alternatively, the UFC’s end-of-year card in December has historically featured their biggest matchups. Either way, expect the promotion to give this fight the full marketing push it deserves.
The Final Word
As someone who’s covered Nunes’ entire UFC career, I can tell you this comeback doesn’t surprise me. The truly great ones always believe they have one more fight in them – especially when new challenges emerge.
For Harrison, this is the ultimate validation of her move to the UFC. For Nunes, it’s a chance to silence any doubters and cement her legacy beyond question.
For us fans? It’s Christmas come early.
What do you think about Amanda’s potential return? Is Harrison ready for the Lioness? Drop your predictions in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter.
Source: Vox Media