Amanda Nunes comeback is ‘dream situation’ for UFC 307’s Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison has a lot to focus on these days now that she’s a contender in the UFC women’s bantamweight division, but she’s keeping a lot of her attention on former double champ Amanda Numes.

After tearing through Holly Holm at UFC 300, Harrison has her next fight set: a UFC 307 showdown with No. 2 ranked 135 pounder Ketlen Viera. After that she hopes to face the winner of the Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena title fight happening the same night.

And then maybe retired champ Amanda Nunes?

“I would love for her to come back,” Harrison said in a new interview with Grind City Media. “That is literally the dream scenario for Kayla Harrison and her career.”

Nunes retired in June 2023 due to nerve damage in her legs, but raised speculation that she’d come back for the Harrison fight. She posted a video watching Harrison win at UFC 300 to her socials, declaring “Chama!”

Let’s go!

“When she retired, I was like, ‘What are you doing? Not yet, wait!’” Harrison said. “I’m glad she made the video, but now she’s going to be hearing from me. I have a couple of steps to take, and then she’s going to be hearing from me.”

“I didn’t call Amanda out because Amanda’s retired, you know?” Harrison clarified. “I didn’t want to be that girl that’s, like, calling out old people, retired people, people who are fat and happy sitting on the couch. I’m happy for her. I think also she struggles to not be in the limelight still. So I think when I had my moment, maybe she needed to come in, which is fine.”

There’s been rumors of drama within American Top Team over Nunes and Harrison. Nunes had been at the gym for years, but then left after Harrison arrived and looked like she was headed down to 145. Nunes complained of getting overlooked at ATT.

“I have no beef with Amanda,” Harrison said. “Listen, the only problem I have with Amanda is that she talks s— about the greatest team in the world, ATT. Personally, I think she’s great. But don’t talk s— about my team.”

We’ll have to see if Nunes feels drawn enough by the limelight to show up at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. It’s a big night for the women’s bantamweight division. It deserves to be watched over by its undefeated queen.