TLDR
- Dana White called Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes the greatest women’s fight of all time
- Harrison defends her bantamweight title against returning GOAT Amanda Nunes at UFC 324
- Nunes came out of retirement specifically to face Harrison after she won the belt
- Harrison is an Olympic gold medalist with only one career loss in MMA
- The co-main event kicks off the UFC’s new $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount
Sources: MiddleEasy | MMA Fighting
UFC President Dana White has declared the upcoming bantamweight title fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes as the greatest women’s fight in MMA history. The bout serves as the co-main event at UFC 324 on January 24.
“The Kayla Harrison-Amanda Nunes fight is the greatest women’s fight of all time,” White told CBS. He emphasized the credentials both fighters bring to the octagon as justification for his claim.
Harrison will make the first defense of her bantamweight championship against Nunes, who is returning from retirement. The former champion vacated the belt in 2023 after defeating Irene Aldana but came back specifically to challenge Harrison.
Dana White says he’s favourite fight on UFC 324 is Amanda Nunes vs Kayla Harrison
“It’s absolutely the best women’s fight ever”
via @SpinninBackfist pic.twitter.com/9Ck5rJcaap
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) January 9, 2026
Olympic Champion Meets MMA’s Greatest
White highlighted Harrison’s background as an Olympic gold medalist in judo and her dominant run through professional MMA. Harrison captured multiple PFL titles at 155 pounds before moving to the UFC, where she finished Julianna Peña to claim the bantamweight belt.
“Kayla Harrison, an Olympic [gold] medalist in judo, has ripped through everybody,” White said. “She was in another company before she came here and she ended up winning the world title.”
Harrison has only lost once in her MMA career, dropping a decision to Larissa Pacheco in PFL. She had already beaten Pacheco twice before that loss.
Nunes is widely considered the greatest female fighter in combat sports history. She defeated every former UFC bantamweight champion during her reign, including wins over Miesha Tate, Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey.
Nunes Returns for Harrison Challenge
The returning champion suffered a surprise loss to Peña in 2021 but won the rematch convincingly. According to White, Nunes’ decision to return was directly linked to Harrison winning the title.
“Amanda Nunes, who is the GOAT, the greatest female fighter of all time in any combat sport, says if this woman ends up winning the title, I will come back to face her,” White explained. “It’s a great, great fight. In my opinion, the greatest female fight of all time.”
Nunes had hinted at a comeback before fully committing once Harrison captured the belt. The matchup represents a meeting between two of the most accomplished women in MMA history.
The fight will co-headline UFC 324 alongside Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title. The event marks the beginning of the UFC’s new seven-year broadcast deal with Paramount worth $7.7 billion.
Harrison hopes to prove herself against the woman many consider unbeatable at bantamweight. Nunes aims to reclaim the championship she never lost in the octagon, having retired as the undisputed champion.
