The UFC may have crowned a new bantamweight queen, but Amanda Nunes isn’t ready to hand over the crown without a fight — literally and figuratively.
Kayla Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) made a statement at UFC 316 when she submitted Julianna Peña in the second round with a slick kimura to capture the vacant bantamweight title. The former Olympic judo champion showcased her dominance inside the Octagon, and the win added a UFC belt to her already stacked résumé of two Olympic gold medals and two PFL titles.
But one legend in the crowd wasn’t blown away.
Amanda Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC), who retired in June 2023 while holding both the bantamweight and featherweight titles, was cageside for the bout — and not just as a spectator. After Harrison’s victory, the two shared a tense faceoff, teasing what could be one of the biggest women’s MMA clashes in UFC history.
In a conversation with The Schmo, Nunes opened up about her return from retirement and why she’s stepping back into the Octagon.
“I just want to fight again,” Nunes said. “I decided to come back for something that I really enjoy to be in. Honestly, that’s why I left for two years because I don’t want to be burned out. I got the rest that I need and everything. Why not come back?”
Despite the buzz surrounding Harrison’s performance, Nunes didn’t exactly sound in awe.
“I’m not impressed,” she said. “I think she did what she’s supposed to do. She saw she could beat Julianna, she saw the arm, and then she got the arm, and she beat Julianna. So I’m happy for her.”
That’s a far cry from glowing praise. Nunes didn’t deny Harrison’s skill, but she made it clear — nothing about the win surprised her.
Harrison’s road to UFC gold hadn’t been easy. After cutting down from her PFL weight class of 155 pounds to fight at 135, she admitted in her post-fight interview that she nearly quit just days before UFC 316.
“This is for anyone who’s ever felt hopeless, who’s wanted to quit, who’s wanted to give up. On Thursday I wanted to quit, I wanted to give up,” Harrison said. “I’m referring to 135lb – only God can get that last pound off me, I’m not strong enough. You have to go to a bad place and the only way through is to have surrender and have faith.”
