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Kayla Harrison Vs. Amanda Nunes – Will It Happen?

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 11:17 AM ET

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison is ready to fight Amanda Nunes, but she is also making it clear she won’t hold up the division.

Harrison, an Olympic gold medalist in judo, became the champion after beating Juliana Pena at UFC 316 in June. After the fight, Harrison and Nunes faced off in the Octagon. Meanwhile, Nunes retired as the bantamweight champion after beating Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in 2023, having won belts at bantamweight and featherweight. Nunes has reentered the testing pool and is ready for the fight. However, Harrison also recognizes that she will not continue waiting too long for Nunes.

“I have had the conversations with my coaches about how long do we wait before (we pivot), and I have an idea in my mind, like, ‘Hey, if I don’t have news by this time, then I’m just going to ask (for a different opponent). It’s also not fair for the division. I want to be conscientious of being a champion and being respectful of other fighters’ time and career.

“We all have a very short window. I would never want to put someone else’s dream on hold because, you know, that’s something that I do think about. I’m pretty sure (the Nunes fight is) going to happen. From everything I hear, she’s ready to go, she wants to fight, I want to fight. We’re just waiting on the details,” Harrison said

Options

If the Nunes fight fails, Harrison could rematch Peña. While the win was dominant, a rematch would allow Harrison to remove any lingering doubt and further cement her status as champion. Peña, a former champion herself, has a significant following and is a high-level competitor who has beaten Nunes before.

If a Peña rematch is not an option, Harrison could also look to other top-ranked contenders to keep her momentum. Raquel Pennington, a former champion who recently lost her belt to Peña, would be a high-stakes matchup. Pennington is known for her toughness and veteran savvy, and a win over her would prove Harrison can defeat a different type of fighter.

Additionally, Ketlen Vieira, a top-ranked contender who has wins over former champions like Holly Holm and Miesha Tate, would be a perfect opponent. She is a powerful grappler with solid striking and would provide a fresh challenge for Harrison, who is still looking to prove herself against the division’s best.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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