Amanda Nunes says Kayla Harrison 'never fight a lioness before' ahead of UFC 334
The returning two-division champion told the UFC 334 press conference in New York she is "here as a double champ", not a challenger, before facing Harrison for the bantamweight title on Saturday.
Amanda Nunes says Kayla Harrison has never faced anyone like her, as she prepares to fight her former training partner for the UFC women's bantamweight title at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
Speaking at the UFC 334 press conference in New York on Thursday, Nunes was asked whether she had seen something in the training room that told her she could beat Harrison. She said: "Honestly, it's like, train with her and we both have advantage, you know. We know each other very well. So, but like Saturday nights, she never fight a lioness before. So this is, this is another level kind of game, you know? So, and I'm not here as a challenger. I'm here as a double champ."
Asked whether it was missing the sport or Harrison holding the belt that brought her out of retirement, Nunes said the belt "definitely motivated me the most". She said she had rested and done everything she wanted outside the fight world, and sent a message saying she was ready to go when Harrison won the title. She said: "I'm gonna be the one that's gonna take my belt back from Kayla."
Nunes, 23-5, retired in 2023 as the only woman to hold UFC titles in two weight classes at the same time. She and Harrison trained together at American Top Team until Nunes left the gym in 2022. Harrison has said she was close to permanent nerve damage before surgery on five herniated discs in her neck at the start of the year, and she told the same press conference she is fully healed.
Nunes has also named Cris Cyborg as the toughest opponent of her career. She moved up to featherweight to take the UFC title from Cyborg in 51 seconds, the win that made her a two-division champion.
Harrison v Nunes is on the main card, which starts at 02:00 UK time early on Sunday on TNT Sports. Full UFC 334 UK start times.
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