Amanda Nunes was in attendance for UFC 316 where her former title was on the line in the co-main event.
‘The Lioness’ had already confirmed that she would be returning to the Octagon to face the winner of the bantamweight title fight regardless of whether Julianna Pena or Kayla Harrison came out on top.
Nunes stepped into the cage with Harrison after the former PFL star secured a submission win to claim the 135 pound title, confirming a massive fight for the division.
While Nunes not being in the testing pool could delay her meeting with Harrison, this is a matchup that fans have been talking about for a very long time.
The history between these two women dates back to their time at American Top Team, which the former champion spoke about in detail in the immediate aftermath of UFC 316.
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Amanda Nunes says she left American Top Team because she knew that she’d fight Kayla Harrison at some point
In an interview with ESPN MMA immediately after UFC 316, Amanda Nunes gave her thoughts on returning to challenge Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight title.
‘The Lioness’ spoke about her history with the new champion and how there has been a divide between them for a long time.
“As soon as she got a microphone, she used to talk about me. From that moment, we already started getting like, not different, but like we always respect each other in the gym but we knew the energy. We never would be able to connect.”
Nunes also said that during the time where they both trained at American Top Team, she felt that it wasn’t fair that she was tasked with training with Harrison whenever she wasn’t in shape.
The PFL star joining the gym would eventually lead to the former UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion parting ways with her long-time team.
She confirmed that Harrison’s arrival was the reason why she left ATT behind all those years ago.
“Yes. I did it because she trained with my coach. When she got there, she started training with my coach Mike Brown and everybody and I knew this fight would happen one day. If I was there now, that would be a problem. Huge problem for them.”
While she may not see eye-to-eye with Harrison, Nunes has respect for her next opponent and gave her credit for the submission that saw her dethrone Julianna Pena.
“I have by decision she win but when I saw Julianna fall like that, I said like this is going to be it soon. Just a matter of time before Kayla finds something and then she’s going to finish Julianna… Kayla come from Judo, she knows how to trip very well and she did the right thing.”
Amanda Nunes clarifies weight class and timeframe for Kayla Harrison clash
During the same post-event interview, Amanda Nunes confirmed that she always planned to fight Kayla Harrison at bantamweight.
While Harrison has to undergo a tough weight cut to make 135 pounds, ‘The Lioness’ stated that she only ever went up to featherweight to challenge Cris Cyborg before she ended up staying there for a bit longer.
Nunes also stated that she believes the fight will happen later this year now that she can start to get back into a full training schedule.
“I’m gonna really get in camp now full time. I was training here and there but like always in shape and honestly, like November, December, I might be ready to go.”