Nunes Returns Against Harrison

Amanda Nunes returns to the Octagon at UFC 334 on November 14. She challenges Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight title at Madison Square Garden. It is Nunes' first fight since June 2023; Harrison makes her first title defense since beating Julianna Peña in June 2025.

Nunes fights for her old title

Nunes beat Irene Aldana by unanimous decision at UFC 289 and announced her retirement afterward. She left the UFC holding the bantamweight and featherweight titles. After more than three years away, she is trying to reclaim the bantamweight belt now held by Harrison.

Harrison has been out, too

The two-time Olympic judo gold medalist won her first three UFC bouts against Holly Holm, Ketlen Vieira and Julianna Peña. She submitted Peña with a second-round kimura at UFC 316 to win the belt. The Nunes fight was originally scheduled for January 2026, but Harrison required neck surgery. She has not competed since winning the title.

Former teammates, unanswered questions

Harrison and Nunes know each other from their time at American Top Team, but have never met in an official fight. Harrison's judo and her two UFC submission wins make the clinch and ground exchanges central to this matchup. Harrison has eight submission victories overall; Nunes has won 13 fights by KO or TKO and four by submission. Casting this simply as grappler versus striker would sell both short.

Harrison vs Nunes is the second title bout at UFC 334. In the main event, Ciryl Gane defends the heavyweight title against Josh Hokit. Read our overview of both title fights.