The retirement of Amanda Nunes in 2023 felt like the closing chapter on one of the most dominant careers in mixed martial arts history. The undisputed `Lioness,` holder of multiple belts and widely considered the GOAT of women`s MMA, walked away at the pinnacle of her sport. However, in combat sports, retirement is often more of a pause than a definitive end. Just two years later, Nunes is reportedly poised for a dramatic comeback, setting the stage for a potential super-fight that some believe could redefine the scale of women`s mixed martial arts events.
Nunes stepped away after successfully defending her UFC Women’s Bantamweight title against Irene Aldana, subsequently vacating the belt before her well-deserved induction into the UFC Hall of Fame. The catalyst for her anticipated return appears to be the recent arrival and impactful debut of Kayla Harrison in the UFC. Harrison, a two-time Olympic Judo gold medalist and former PFL champion, made quick work of Julianna Pena—a fighter who previously held a significant victory over Nunes—at UFC 316. This performance immediately positioned Harrison as a compelling, high-profile opponent for the returning legend.
Weighing in on the potential magnitude of this possible clash is former two-division UFC champion and current analyst, Daniel Cormier. Speaking on “Good Guy/Bad Guy,” Cormier offered a striking perspective. He posited that a fight between Nunes and Harrison could legitimately be considered the biggest women’s fight ever booked by the UFC. This is a bold claim, particularly when considering Nunes` own history of participating in fights previously labeled as the `biggest` in the women`s divisions.
Setting the Benchmark: Nunes vs. Rousey
Cormier referenced Nunes` past monumental matchups, including her decisive victory over Cris Cyborg, which at the time was viewed as a clash of titans, and her infamous encounter with Ronda Rousey. The fight against Rousey at UFC 207 in December 2016 was, without question, a pivotal moment in women`s MMA history. Following her shocking loss to Holly Holm, Rousey`s return was one of the most hyped events in years. The narrative pitted the former unbeatable champion against the woman who currently held the belt she had once dominated.
What transpired was not a competitive battle, but a clinical, astonishingly fast dismantling. Nunes met Rousey head-on and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches that ended the fight in just 48 seconds. Rousey was visibly overwhelmed and, in the aftermath, her UFC career effectively concluded. The event itself broke records, setting a new high for live gate attendance in Nevada at the time and securing Rousey a payday that was, for the moment, the largest recorded for a UFC fighter, mirroring Conor McGregor`s then-recent benchmark.
Surpassing the sheer drama, shocking finality, and mainstream attention garnered by the Nunes vs. Rousey fight is, quite frankly, a tough act to follow. Yet, Cormier insists that Nunes vs. Harrison holds the potential to do just that.
The Appeal of Nunes vs. Harrison
So, what makes the potential matchup against Kayla Harrison so significant? Harrison enters the UFC with an undefeated professional MMA record and a background as a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo – a unique and highly credible pedigree. Her transition to MMA has seen her dominate opponents, primarily under the PFL banner. Facing Amanda Nunes, even a Nunes returning after a layoff, represents a significant step up in competition and exposure.
The storyline is compelling: the widely acknowledged GOAT, returning from retirement, facing an undefeated, elite newcomer with Olympic credentials and a proven ability to finish fights. While it lacks the specific narrative of a comeback from a devastating loss (as with Rousey), or a direct `best vs. best` champion-versus-champion feel (like Nunes vs. Cyborg), the intrigue surrounding Nunes` form post-retirement against a fresh, dominant threat in Harrison provides a strong foundation for significant public interest and debate.
Ultimately, whether Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison officially earns the title of the `biggest` women`s fight in UFC history remains to be seen. Commercial metrics, public reception, and the fight itself will be the final arbiters. However, the fact that a respected voice like Daniel Cormier considers it a genuine possibility, comparing its potential scale to the historic clash that ended Ronda Rousey`s run, speaks volumes about the significance of Amanda Nunes` return and the caliber of opponent she is slated to face. It is, without doubt, a fight that holds immense sporting and potentially commercial weight for the future of women`s mixed martial arts.
