Amanda Nunes is done waiting quietly for Kayla Harrison.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, the former UFC two-division champion said she is back in training, feels healthy, and wants Harrison’s undisputed women’s bantamweight title as soon as the champion is cleared. Their fight was previously planned for January before Harrison’s neck surgery removed her from UFC 324.
Nunes said she never fully left the gym after that first camp fell apart. She lowered the intensity, kept working, and is now building back toward fight shape.
“You know, I feel normal,” Nunes said. “I know how to train. I know how to pace myself to be able to do a camp.”
“I feel like I’m ready for any day that Kayla give it to me,” Nunes said. “I’m waiting on her.”
“I just honestly can’t wait for the call,” Nunes said. “I hope she’s ready though because I am.”
Nunes said International Fight Week is the window she believes makes sense for the delayed matchup.
“I feel like International Fight Week would be a good one,” Nunes said. “I feel like UFC wanted that too. So, I hope Kayla is ready for, and I can’t wait.”
Watch the full interview below:
Nunes Says She Only Wants The Undisputed Belt
Nunes made it clear she is not interested in an interim title fight while Harrison recovers. Joselyne Edwards and Larissa Pacheco have been mentioned around the division, but Nunes said her return is about the real belt, not a placeholder.
“I know everybody want a chance,” Nunes said. “I know everybody want to fight me and I know everybody want to make the paycheck. I know that, but if you put in the table, it’s like, no.”
“I only fight for the belt.”
“They just have to wait though like I did,” Nunes said. “I wait so much to fight for the belt and then I did it.”
Nunes is widely regarded as one of the greatest women’s MMA fighters ever. She held UFC titles at bantamweight and featherweight, became the only woman to win UFC belts in two divisions, and retired in 2023 before setting up this comeback.
Harrison brings a rare case of her own. She is a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, former PFL champion, and current UFC bantamweight champion. That is why Nunes vs. Harrison carries real legacy stakes beyond normal title-fight business.
Nunes said she respects Harrison, but does not want the old teammate dynamic around the matchup.
“No, actually I feel like it’s better like that because we’re going to see each other in the cage,” Nunes said. “We don’t want to keep this friendship or whatever outside of the cage.”
“I respect her, she respecting me, and then we’re going to fight,” Nunes said. “And then we’re going to take my belt back.”
Nunes said she would prefer the fight as a main event, but card placement will not change her approach.
“If UFC put it main event, it would be great,” Nunes said. “If it co-main event, if it the first fight of the night, I want my belt back.”
“The first fight of the night or the last one, I don’t care,” Nunes said. “I want to just step in the cage and fight.”
Nunes was also asked about Harrison’s public back-and-forth with Ronda Rousey, who is preparing to face Gina Carano. Nunes did not take a side and said Rousey’s return is good for women’s MMA.
“I don’t see nobody losing here,” Nunes said. “Ronda Rousey back, she’s going to fight Gina. This is great for women’s MMA.”
“I want to get in there and face her,” Nunes said of Harrison. “This is women’s MMA win and I’m happy about it.”
Nunes said she plans to defend the belt if she beats Harrison, not return for one night and leave again. She said her body, mind, and personal life are all in a strong place.
“I’m going to get my belt, defend as long as possible,” Nunes said. “I feel like I’m in the best moment of my whole life, my whole career.”
“I’m healthy, I’m training good,” Nunes said. “I never felt like that before.”
“My body feel good, my mind feel good, my spirit feel good,” Nunes said. “I can’t wait to bring my belt back.”
Then Nunes closed with the line that summed up her whole message.
“UFC, Kayla Harrison, get your sh*t together. Let’s go.”
Nunes has already said Harrison’s UFC arrival made this comeback feel inevitable. Now the only missing piece is a firm date.
