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Coach outlines when Amanda Nunes may face Kayla Harrison in blockbuster bout

Originally posted on HITC | By Christopher De Santiago | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 9:24 AM ET

A member of Amanda Nunes’ camp has hinted at a potential timeline for her UFC comeback, though nothing has been set in stone just yet.

After stepping away from the sport, she surprised fans earlier this year by announcing her intention to return to the Octagon. It was a move that caught many off guard, given how comfortably she had settled into life outside of fighting.

Nunes walked away from MMA in 2023 after defending her belt against Irene Aldana at UFC 289. It was her 11th title fight win and felt like the perfect time to call it a career.

But now, with retirement behind her, Nunes is back in the USADA testing pool and gearing up for a showdown with Kayla Harrison – her former teammate, who now holds the women’s bantamweight title.

Harrison called out Nunes following her submission win over Julianna Pena at UFC 316 in June, but despite both fighters being keen on the matchup, no date has been set yet. However, one of Nunes’ coaches has given some insight into when we might finally see them face off.

Din Thomas reveals Amanda Nunes is aiming for a December fight with Kayla Harrison

According to Din Thomas, Amanda Nunes could be back in the Octagon before the year is out.

The former UFC fighter and coach told UFC Unfiltered that everything is starting to come together for Nunes, who has not been through a full training camp in more than two years.

“We in the lab cooking now,” Thomas said.

“Me and Amanda, she’s putting a team together.”

“We are cooking now and she’s hoping for December,” he added, giving a rough timeframe for her return.

Thomas also explained: “She was like, ‘I’m going crazy. I gotta find something to do…’ She’s healthy. She has no injuries and we’re right now in the process of organizing her life and camp and training so that she can just get to the fight in December if it happens.”

“No injuries. Just as strong and as clean as possible…”

Kayla Harrison brings out the best in Amanda Nunes, according to Din Thomas

Nunes has not faced Harrison inside the cage before, but she is no stranger to what her next opponent brings.

The two trained together for years at American Top Team until Nunes’ 2022 departure, which she later attributed, in part, to Harrison.

Despite everything she has achieved, Nunes is not taking Harrison lightly at all.

“Amanda said this yesterday: ‘I know how strong [Harrison] is… I felt her, and she’s really strong. And I know what she’s capable of doing, but that excites me.’

“The fact that she knows how capable Kayla is of beating her excites her even more,” Thomas explained.

“It excites her even more, and she fights better when she’s excited like that,” Nunes’ coach added.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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