This is the UFC 334 live blog for Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes, the bantamweight championship co-main event on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Harrison (19-1) currently sits at No. 3 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo — the only American to accomplish that — Harrison swept through the MMA world, winning her first 15 professional bouts and a pair of PFL lightweight tournaments. She captured the UFC bantamweight title by submitting Julianna Pena, setting the stage for a long-awaited clash with Nunes, who retired in 2023.
Nunes (23-5) previously trained alongside Harrison at American Top Team, though Harrison’s climb through the divisions always left open the question of whether the two could ever share a cage. While Harrison was still getting started, Nunes was deep into one of the most dominant stretches in MMA history, running off a 14-1 span from 2015 to 2023 that featured titles at bantamweight and featherweight along with eight successful defenses across those belts. Now, “The Lioness” returns to the octagon with an opportunity to add another chapter to an already all-time great legacy.
Preamble
It took years to reach this moment, but it is finally here: Kayla Harrison. Amanda Nunes. Let’s go!
Always tell me the odds
Essentially a coin flip according to FanDuel, with Harrison favored at -158 and Nunes a slight underdog at +134. Honestly, seeing Nunes as an underdog feels strange.
Round 1
Blake Grice officiates the bantamweight championship co-main event.
Feinting and footwork in the center of the octagon, with neither fighter willing to concede an inch — and neither throwing much, either. Nunes lets her hands go while Harrison controls the range, and a right hand sends Harrison backward. A sharp leg kick from Nunes follows. Harrison changes levels but eats a counter right. Another hard right lands for Nunes; the champion is feeling these. Harrison desperately looks to clinch, and it appears Nunes hurt her with something in close. One-way traffic from The Lioness so far.
Harrison finally secures a much-needed body lock, but Nunes refuses to let her settle and slips free. Nunes prowls, looking to strike. Harrison ducks a punch and secures a well-timed takedown; Nunes stands, but Harrison stays attached and delivers a trademark judo throw. She traps one of Nunes’ arms and pours in unanswered punches, though nothing too damaging. Nunes throws her legs up, trying to shift the balance, while Harrison stays heavy and keeps that arm in a bad position.
Will the judges credit Nunes’ heavy strikes on the feet or Harrison’s sustained offense on the ground?
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Nunes.
Round 2
Nunes surprisingly looks to engage with Harrison and is actually hunting takedowns as they wrestle along the fence. Curious.
Harrison angles for a trip. Nunes keeps her hips and legs out of harm’s way for now. There isn’t much to score in this round, but Nunes won’t abandon the grappling — she even manages to drag Harrison down, which was impressive. Harrison works back to her feet with Nunes clinging to a body lock. But it’s Harrison who dictates, landing the same throw she used in Round 1, now with far more time to work and far less damage absorbed.
Nunes is stuck, and while Harrison isn’t landing fight-ending shots, she has essentially shut Nunes out this round. If Round 1 was close, this one clearly belongs to Harrison.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Harrison. Overall, 19-19.
Round 3
Nunes comes forward with straight punches, wisely maintaining distance for now. Harrison lunges in to grapple, Nunes changes levels and flirts with a takedown before backing away again. Harrison catches a kick and shoots, Nunes reverses and finds herself on top against the cage — though that may be exactly where Harrison wants her.