When it comes to the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes need little introduction. Both fighters have achieved incredible success in their respective careers, with Nunes recently retiring as arguably the greatest female MMA fighter of all time. However, despite Nunes' decision to hang up her gloves, her former teammate Kayla Harrison has expressed a strong desire for her to come out of retirement.
Amanda Nunes’ career is nothing short of legendary. With a resume that includes wins over some of the most decorated fighters in women's MMA, such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, and Miesha Tate, Nunes has dominated every major competitor in her path. She was the first woman to hold two UFC titles simultaneously, reigning as the bantamweight and featherweight champion. Nunes' combination of power, technical prowess, and versatility in the octagon earned her the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT) in women's MMA.
After her final title defense against Irene Aldana at UFC 289, Nunes announced her retirement, ending her career on her terms. Fans and fighters alike celebrated her achievements, but the announcement left many, including Kayla Harrison, with a sense of unfinished business.
While Amanda Nunes was cementing her legacy in the UFC, Kayla Harrison forged her path in MMA. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, Harrison transitioned to MMA in 2018 and quickly made a name for herself in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). With an undefeated record and two PFL championships under her belt, Harrison has become one of the top fighters outside of the UFC.
Many have speculated about a potential super fight between Harrison and Nunes, especially when both were in the same training camp at American Top Team (ATT). However, Nunes’ retirement seemingly put those speculations to rest. Harrison, who deeply respects Nunes, wasn’t shy about her hopes that the legendary fighter would return to the cage.
In a recent interview, Kayla Harrison opened up about her desire for Amanda Nunes to come out of retirement. She described her hope for Nunes’ return as a "selfish wish" but emphasized that it comes from admiration and respect for her former teammate.
“Selfishly, I hope that she does [return],” Harrison told MMA Fighting. “I have no beef with Amanda other than her trying to throw American Top Team under the bus. Don’t f*ck with my homies.
“But listen if she’s happy and living her dream, that’s great but selfishly, I would love for her to come back so I can put all the noise to rest.”
Harrison’s remarks speak to the heart of a true competitor. Like any elite athlete, she craves the opportunity to test herself against the very best. For Harrison, fighting Nunes wouldn’t just be a high-profile matchup but a chance to measure her skills against the woman many consider the greatest female fighter of all time.
While Nunes and Harrison are close in age and share a mutual respect, the idea of a fight between them has tantalized MMA fans for years. Their paths, though parallel, have remained separate, with Nunes dominating in the UFC and Harrison in the PFL.
Their paths, though parallel, have remained separate, with Nunes dominating in the UFC and Harrison in the PFL. However, the thought of these two powerhouses clashing in the octagon is one of the sport's most intriguing what-if scenarios. Due to the unpredictability of such a matchup, Sportsbook betting lines are likely to generate immense attention.
A fight between Harrison and Nunes would not only be a historic event for women’s MMA, but it would also have significant implications for the legacy of both fighters. For Nunes, coming out of retirement to face an undefeated, hungry competitor like Harrison would further cement her GOAT status, win or lose. For Harrison, a victory over Nunes would catapult her into MMA stardom and solidify her place among the elite.
While Harrison’s call for a Nunes return is compelling, the reality is that Amanda Nunes appears content in retirement. After her final fight, Nunes expressed happiness with her decision to step away from the sport. She spoke about spending more time with her family and focusing on new endeavors outside of MMA.
Nunes’ decision to retire at the top of her game is admirable. Many fighters struggle with knowing when to walk away, but Nunes left the sport on her own terms, having nothing left to prove. However, as history has shown, retirement in combat sports is rarely permanent. Legends like Georges St-Pierre, Conor McGregor, and even Nunes' rival Ronda Rousey have teased or made comebacks after initially retiring.
Whether Nunes will feel the itch to return remains to be seen, but Harrison’s challenge certainly adds an intriguing layer to the story. Should Nunes return, the MMA world would be treated to one of the most highly anticipated fights in the sport’s history.
Although the prospect of a Nunes-Harrison showdown remains one of the most tantalizing possibilities in MMA, Harrison’s most recent win cements her attitude about her desire to fight Nunes. Kayla Harrison secured her second victory since joining the UFC by defeating Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 on Saturday. Although she wasn’t as dominant as usual, Harrison still earned a unanimous decision win, improving her record to 18-1.
Nevertheless, Harrison remains focused on her goal of becoming UFC champion. She has her sights set on Julianna Peña, who won the bantamweight title in UFC 307's co-main event by defeating Raquel Pennington. Although Peña also called out retired champion Amanda Nunes after her win, Harrison is eager to fight both.