Former UFC double champion Amanda Nunes might be watching carefully later tonight (Sat., June 7, 2025) at UFC 316 LIVE on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Prudential Heart in Newark, New Jersey, when Julianna Pena defends her UFC girls’s bantamweight title towards Kayla Harrison within the co-main occasion.
Nunes, who stepped away from UFC two years in the past, has made it recognized that she intends to return to the cage to combat the winner of Saturday’s co-main occasion. “Lioness” is broadly thought to be the best feminine fighter of all time and her return might be drastically welcomed by followers and division foe trying to make an even bigger title by preventing her. This weekend will decide who Nunes begins her subsequent coaching camp for.
“I’m prepared,” stated Nunes in a current interview with New York Put up Sports activities. “I’m actually again within the gymnasium, I’m actually wholesome, my weight’s good, so why not? No harm. So let’s see what’s going to occur. I’m able to step in once more.”
Most individuals want to see Nunes return to preventing towards an imposing determine like Harrison. Not solely as a result of Harrison is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and PFL’s former feminine celebrity, but additionally as a result of combat followers have already seen Nunes vs. Pena twice. Although they cut up these two conferences and a rubber match can be in retailer a combat between “Lioness” and Harrison is just extra interesting (particularly for UFC matchmakers).
Nunes, who used to coach alongside Harrison, is choosing the title challenger to maintain Pena this weekend at UFC 316 and stroll out of New Jersey with the 135-pound title.
“I believe it’s going to go to resolution,” stated Nunes. “I really feel like three rounds Kayla, two rounds Julianna. I really feel like afterward, Julianna can stand out. I see Kayla doing what she needs to do, takedowns, use the cage, judo throw on the cage, utilizing her journeys to get Julianna down. I additionally know Julianna [is a] survivor, so Kayla doesn’t have sufficient to knock Julianna out or end her on the ground. Truly, Julianna additionally excellent jiu-jitsu protection, she obtained so much higher. She doesn’t cease. She’s going to make Kayla work so much. She retains coming. Kayla, is powerful, so it’s going to be excellent and attention-grabbing to see who’s going to win. I believe it may well go both manner, this combat, however I believe resolution Kayla.”
Fortunately for combat followers, Nunes doesn’t intend to return for only one combat (whether or not it’s towards Harrison or Pena). The previous UFC girls’s bantamweight and featherweight champion plans to stay round for so long as she will throughout her last UFC run. Test it out under courtesy of a UFC Q&A on Friday:
“I’m prepared to remain right here,” stated Nunes. “I’m going to take the belt again. I’m going to defend so long as attainable. So long as my physique can deal with, I’m going to be right here.”
“I really like this. I’m so excited. To see my title throughout, that’s what I’m right here for,” she later added. “To return again, I’m prepared for tomorrow. I’m able to combat. … I’ve Kayla by resolution. Truthfully, I’m a champion. Both one, I’m going to be prepared for. Let’s go.”
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