Amanda Nunes rules out retirement if she beats Kayla Harrison at UFC 334

The former champion, who has not fought for more than three years, said she would defend the bantamweight title at least once if she wins on 14 November.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Tue 20 Oct, 02:27 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Amanda Nunes has said her comeback against Kayla Harrison at UFC 334 on 14 November is not a one-off, and that she will not walk away again if she wins back the bantamweight title.

Asked on UFC's Deep Waters whether she would retire with the belt back around her waist, Nunes said she would stay on to defend it. She said: “You gotta defend the belt, for sure.”, adding: “Then we’re gonna see.” It is now more than three years since Nunes last competed. Her return was pushed back when Harrison needed surgery on a neck injury that cancelled her first title defence at the start of the year, but Nunes said the delay had not changed her plans and that she sees the fight as the start of a new chapter. She still feels rejuvenated by her time away despite having to wait until Harrison was fit to compete.

Nunes also said the Harrison matchup was not what persuaded her to come out of retirement, explaining that she had found it difficult to adjust to life after fighting. She said: “I would have come back anyways. I had a hard time being away. I think I did the break at the right time… I was like so burned out and I kinda needed the break.” Harrison has admitted she doubted herself after the surgery. She does not know whether next month will be her last fight, but has said she knows she is coming to the end of her career after the health problems she has had to overcome.

Because the bout carries so much weight for both women's legacies, some have suggested it could end with two retirements, with neither left with another clear goal to chase.

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Kayla Harrison