In perhaps the biggest women’s fight in the promotion’s history, bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison faced former two-division titleholder Amanda Nunes in the UFC 334 co-main event.
It was Nunes’ first fight in three years. “The Lioness” retired after winning back the crown at UFC 289 in June 2023. Widely considered the greatest, Nunes looked to become a three-time bantamweight champion in her octagon return.
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Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, captured the title in her last outing in June 2025 setting up the bout with her former teammate. She was sidelined for 17 months due to neck surgery. Healed and healthy, she hoped to add Nunes to her already incredible combat sports resume.
They touched gloves. Nunes threw first coming up short with a jab. She connected with a right hand followed by a kick to the body. Harrison tried to close this distance and was met with a right hand. Nunes landed a hard right hand. Harrison tried to clinch. Nunes pushed her away and landed a right hand. Nunes began pressing forward. Harrison closed the distance. Nunes circled free. A left hand landed for Harrison. She secured a takedown but Nunes got to her feet. Harrison tossed Nunes to the canvas and delivered left hands from side control. Harrison trapped an arm and put her in a crucifix. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Harrison.
Nunes took the center of the cage in the second. She pressured Harrison. They clinched. Nunes looked for a takedown but Harrison remained standing. They exchanged knees to the body inside the clinch. Nunes took Harrison down midway through the frame. Harrison worked her way back to her feet. She tossed Nunes to the ground. Harrison landed in side control and delivered short left hands. Harrison isolated an arm. She put Nunes in a crucifix and continued to landed left hands. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Harrison.
Nunes inched forward and went to the body with a right hand. Harrison clinched but Nunes escaped the position. Nunes landed a kick to the body and secured a takedown. She mounted Harrison. Harrison stood. She tried to throw Nunes but Nunes ended up on top. Nunes took Harrison’s back. Harrison reversed the position and ended up on top. Harrison landed an elbow that cut Nunes on the forehead. Harrison stood and dropped in with a big right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round for 10-9 for Nunes.
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Nunes pressed forward in the fourth. Harrison clinched but Nunes pulled away and landed a right hand. Harrison caught a kick and took Nunes down. Nunes tried to get up and Harrison took her back and sunk in a rear-naked choke. Nunes tapped out.
The official time of the submission win was 1:29 of the fourth round.
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