Cris Cyborg sees a crucial edge for the current UFC women’s bantamweight champion in their upcoming showdown. The Brazilian MMA icon is especially interested in the co-main event set for UFC 324, where longtime acquaintances Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison will face off on the promotion’s debut event on Paramount+.
Amanda Nunes is making her return to fight Kayla Harrison, who earned her bantamweight title shot with a Kimura victory over Julianna Pena at UFC 316 last June. This bout between former teammates also marks Nunes’ return after a two-year retirement following her last title defense against Irene Aldana.
On January 24th, Cyborg pointed out that Nunes’ time away from the sport might be a decisive factor in this fight. Having lost to Nunes back in 2018 at UFC 232—when Nunes became the first woman to hold titles in two divisions—Cyborg knows both fighters well. Unlike Nunes, who took a break from competition, Harrison has remained active, which Cyborg believes could give Harrison an advantage.
Cyborg told Fight Bananas, “I believe it will be an exciting fight. Amanda took some time off when she retired. That’s one advantage Kayla has; she didn’t stop, she just kept fighting.” She added, “Amanda can beat Kayla if she defends her takedowns, but if she can’t, it’s going to be tough for her.”
Currently on a retirement run in the PFL, Cyborg hoped to face Harrison in her final bout but the matchup never materialized. When Harrison signed with UFC after Bellator was acquired by PFL, Cyborg accused her of avoiding the fight, tweeting provocatively to Harrison late last year, challenging her to stop running away.
Fan Take: This matchup between Nunes and Harrison is more than just a fight; it’s a potential turning point in women’s MMA, showcasing the clash of experience versus momentum. For fans, it promises high drama and technical mastery, possibly setting the stage for the next era of female dominance in the sport.
