Amanda Nunes is headed to the UFC Hall of Fame, but the biggest headline coming out of UFC 314 wasn’t her induction—it was the possibility of her coming back.
The 36-year-old legend, the only UFC fighter to defend titles in two divisions while holding both simultaneously, was surprised with the announcement during Saturday’s broadcast. Nunes, emotional and reflective, admitted she misses the game. And she didn’t stop there—she hinted that her retirement may have been a bit premature.
“I love this game. I love the fight. And I miss it so much… I’m a lioness. I cannot be away from this game.”
This moment would have been feel-good nostalgia with a tinge of legacy talk—until she named Kayla Harrison as the fighter she’d be most interested in facing. That’s where things get complicated.
A Return… But Not for the Trilogy?
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Amanda Nunes never completed the trilogy with Julianna Peña, the only fighter to beat her during her title reign. She avenged that loss convincingly in the rematch at UFC 277, but there was damage done. Peña made her bleed. Made her uncomfortable. Made her human.
Nunes’ retirement came after defeating Irene Aldana, a backup who replaced Peña due to injury. It was a clean win, a tidy exit, and a Hall of Fame-worthy swan song. But it left unfinished business with Peña, and that’s not just speculation—it’s fact. And now, instead of circling back for the rubber match, Nunes is entertaining a fight with Kayla Harrison, a former PFL champ who has no UFC main-event experience and zero five-round fights.
The Harrison Hype vs. Peña’s Pressure
Harrison is a legitimate athlete with serious credentials. But let’s be honest: Nunes choosing Harrison over Peña smells a lot like strategic matchmaking. Harrison is newer to the UFC, relatively untested in championship conditions, and doesn’t bring the same physical war Peña does.
Peña? She’s gritty, unrelenting, and battle-tested. Pena to Nunes is Joe Frazier to Muhammad Ali. After their last fight, Ali (nor Frazier) was the same.
If you doubt me on that, watch what Amanda looked like before her last fight with Peña and her demeanor after the match. Also, go back and look at the face of her partner every time Julianna Peña’s name gets mentioned.
What Comes Next
Peña faces Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 for the vacant bantamweight belt. If Peña wins, the call for the trilogy will be deafening. If Harrison wins, Nunes might find a clearer path to a high-profile comeback without ever answering the Peña question again.
Nunes claims she’s still healthy, still training, and still motivated. But if that’s true, the trilogy with Peña should be the natural conclusion if Peña wins.
