The GOAT of women’s MMA may soon return to the UFC Octagon.
That’s right, former two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes seems to be more than happy to end her retirement for another legacy fight.
At the age of 35, Nunes retired from the sport on top at UFC 289 in June 2023 following an eighth successful title defense over Irene Aldana. The move was met by much disapproval from rival Julianna Peña who was begging Nunes for a trilogy fight after she withdrew due to injury.
Others congratulated her on a career that saw her take out every champion from 135lbs to 145lbs, Nunes also holding two wins over current pound-for-pound queen Valentina Shevchenko and a KO over Cris Cyborg.
Almost two years into retirement now, Nunes will watch on as current champ Peña and former teammate Kayla Harrison fight for her long-held bantamweight title in the co-main event of UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark, New Jersey.
Although, it looks like ‘The Lioness’ won’t be on the sidelines for that much longer…
Photo by Jordan Jones/Getty Images
Nunes had decent seats to watch Peña and Harrison bicker at the UFC 316 press conference on Friday, getting a loud pop from the crowd when her face was shown on screen.
Because of Nunes’ history with Peña and Harrison, the former champion was brought up a few times at the press conference with UFC CEO Dana White being asked about her potential comeback.
“Do I think Amanda Nunes fights again?” White said at the presser.
“She just said yes,” White pointed at Nunes near the stage.
The camera panned to Nunes, nodding her head yes in approval.
The women’s bantamweight title up for grabs on June 7th, Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison knows a future matchup with Amanda Nunes hangs in the balance as well.
Harrison has been talking about a fight with Nunes since she was PFL champion and it’s all Peña talks about after upsetting Nunes in their first fight at UFC 269.
Nunes would go on to the win the title rematch at UFC 277, taking all five rounds against Peña and even a ’50-43′ scorecard.
Their series tied at 1-1, you don’t have to ask Peña twice about settling the score.
“I knew she was retiring too early,” Peña said of Nunes teasing her comeback.
“Just like Dana said, just like you guys are all seeing,” Peña continued as she was boo’ed by the crowd.
“She’s not done. She’s just sitting on the sidelines to see what happens because she doesn’t want to fight that trilogy fight I was asking for…”
“Absolutely,” Harrison said of fighting Nunes after Peña.
“I think Amanda and I know that’s what’s gonna happen.”
Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes are former teammates at American Top Team with Nunes splitting up with the gym.
Amanda NunesJulianna PeñaKayla HarrisonUFC 316
