A potential return to the octagon for Amanda Nunes, her first fight in two years, is being hailed by a UFC legend as possibly the biggest women`s fight in the promotion`s history, potentially even exceeding the significance of her iconic 2016 knockout victory.
Widely considered the greatest female fighter in UFC history, Nunes is reportedly stepping back into active competition after a two-year hiatus. This comeback appears set to feature a clash with Kayla Harrison, following Harrison`s recent win over Julianna Pena at UFC 316.
Nunes originally retired in 2023 after successfully defending her UFC Women`s Bantamweight title against Irene Aldana. She subsequently vacated her belt and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
With her comeback now seemingly confirmed, one prominent UFC figure believes Nunes` return fight could reach unparalleled heights of importance.
Daniel Cormier Calls Nunes vs. Harrison Potentially the Biggest Women`s UFC Fight Ever
Speaking on his show “Good Guy/Bad Guy,” former two-division UFC champion and legend Daniel Cormier shared his perspective on the potential showdown between Nunes and Harrison. He posited that this highly anticipated matchup could be the most significant women`s bout the UFC has ever promoted.
Cormier drew comparisons to Nunes` previous historic contests, stating:
“The last time Amanda Nunes was put in this position, she had what was one of the biggest fights and wins in UFC women’s history. She beat Chris Cyborg. At the time, we thought there could never be a bigger fight made in mixed martial arts. And then Ronda Rousey came and tried to fight Amanda Nunes, and we thought this may be the biggest fight in women’s mixed martial arts history. But this one? Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes — it feels truly like it is the biggest fight that we can make in women’s MMA history.”
While the matchup is undoubtedly massive, surpassing the cultural impact and record-breaking numbers of the Nunes vs. Rousey fight from nearly a decade ago presents a considerable challenge.
Recalling Amanda Nunes` Dominant Win Over Ronda Rousey in 2016
At UFC 207, Amanda Nunes delivered a performance that ended Ronda Rousey`s UFC career in stunning fashion, retaining her UFC Women`s Bantamweight title with a decisive knockout.
Following her unexpected loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, Rousey aimed to bounce back from the shocking upset by facing the fighter widely regarded as the greatest in women`s UFC history.
However, the fight did not unfold favorably for Rousey. Nunes completely overwhelmed her, securing the knockout victory with a flurry of punches in just 48 seconds, leaving Rousey visibly dazed while still on her feet.
That bout had a significant impact, breaking several records. The attendance of 18,533 set a new UFC record for Nevada at the time, and Rousey`s reported earnings from the fight were equivalent to Conor McGregor`s then-record purse from UFC 215.
While it may be difficult for a potential Nunes vs. Harrison fight to surpass these specific historical records, Daniel Cormier remains confident in his assessment of its potential as one of the most significant fights in UFC history.
Gareth Pendleton