TLDR
- Amanda Nunes challenges Kayla Harrison for the UFC bantamweight title on November 14, 2026, at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden
- Nunes is coming out of a three-year retirement after leaving the sport due to leg pain in her late 30s
- Harrison has finished two former champions since joining UFC and recently had neck surgery
- Oddsmakers favor Harrison at -196 while Nunes enters as the underdog at +152
- Nunes hinted she would defend the title if she wins against Harrison
Sources: mmamania.com | ufc.com | sherdog.com
Amanda Nunes will return from retirement to challenge Kayla Harrison for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship on November 14, 2026, at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden. The former two-division champion left the sport approximately three years ago due to severe leg pain but is returning for what appears to be a major financial opportunity.
Harrison currently holds the bantamweight title after defeating two former champions in her brief UFC career. The Olympic judo gold medalist won the belt despite battling through difficult weight cuts and recently underwent neck surgery.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>🤝🗣️ Amanda Nunes says Cris Cyborg remains the toughest opponent she’s ever had to prepare for due to her size and power:
🤝🗣️ Amanda Nunes says Cris Cyborg remains the toughest opponent she’s ever had to prepare for due to her size and power:
“Cyborg was [the toughest]. Size wise too, Cyborg’s huge, Cyborg is like double of Kayla.
Cyborg could knock me out, though. The power that woman has.”… pic.twitter.com/rRsB6rPifC
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 11, 2026
The Matchup and Betting Lines
Oddsmakers have installed Harrison as the favorite at -196, while Nunes enters as the underdog at +152 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Harrison’s most likely path to victory is by submission at +200, while Nunes’ best odds come via knockout at +300.
Harrison’s game plan will likely focus on using her superior size and judo background to control Nunes on the ground. The champion has built her success by dominating opponents in top position, and experts believe extended wrestling periods could fatigue Nunes, who is now in her late 30s.
Nunes’ path to victory centers on her devastating right hand, which has produced knockouts throughout her championship reign. Coaches and analysts suggest Nunes should remain patient, work behind body jabs and straight punches to keep Harrison at distance, and wait for Harrison to tire in the later rounds.
Questions About Both Fighters
Harrison’s only professional loss came to Larissa Pacheco, who proved the champion can be outlasted when fights go deep into championship rounds. Pacheco defeated Harrison at 145 pounds, raising questions about whether cutting to 135 pounds impacts Harrison’s cardio even more.
Nunes’ physical condition remains the biggest question mark heading into the fight. She walked away from the sport because of brutal pain in her legs, and her time away from competition has accumulated rust that could affect her timing and performance.
MMA Lab head coach John Crouch noted that while both fighters have big-game experience, they come from different backgrounds. Nunes has navigated UFC championship fight weeks multiple times, while Harrison’s high-pressure experience comes from winning two Olympic gold medals in judo.
Crouch described Harrison as “chippy” and driven by feeling underappreciated throughout her career. This competitive fire has pushed her to constantly prove herself against comparisons to former champion Ronda Rousey.
At UFC 334 media day, Nunes commented on fellow Brazilian fighter Norma Dumont’s decision to leave the UFC with two fights remaining on her contract. Dumont announced her departure on Wednesday, revealing the UFC had told her they wouldn’t renew her deal after it expired.
Nunes called Dumont’s exit a “bad decision” and said she would have fought out the contract to prove she belonged in the promotion. Dumont, who lost her last two fights after being close to title contention, claims she has received offers for a title shot in another promotion and a boxing match.
Nunes has hinted she would defend the bantamweight title if she defeats Harrison at UFC 334. The event takes place Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
