Set to face Harrison in return Nunes came out of retirement in early-June and plans to face Kayla Harrison for the UFC Women's Bantamweight title in late-2025. Impact Nunes originally announced her retirement in June of 2023, but she told reporters in a press conference prior to UFC 316 that she intended to face the winner of the title fight between Kayla Harrison and Julianna Pena (per MMAFighting.com). Harrison ended up winning that co-main event fight in emphatic fashion, and afterwards, Nunes entered the Octagon to face off with the new champion. A date hasn't been set yet, but early betting odds peg Nunes, the long-time former champion, as a (+130) underdog. She'll be 37 years old when this fight happens, while Harrison will turn 35 in July. As is always the case against Harrison, the key to victory for Nunes will be stuffing the relentless takedown pressure of the former Olympic judo champion. If Nunes can remain upright, which few have been able to do against the strength of Harrison, she'll have an advantage in the striking department. Should she emerge victorious, Nunes told media members that she would be open to additional fights and would compete "as long as my body can handle [it]."
JUNE 26 • ROTOWIRE
