“The Lioness” is set to roar again in the MMA world.
UFC 314 delivered numerous compelling narratives – Alexander Volkanovski`s continued reign as champion, Patricio Pitbull`s explosive performance, and Jean Silva`s wild style. Amidst these events, the return of Amanda Nunes to competition, after her 2023 retirement, was announced, somewhat overshadowed.
It might not be entirely unexpected that the former champion in both bantamweight and featherweight divisions is returning to the octagon. Her initial retirement seemed more driven by a lack of challenge than an inability to compete at the highest level. Nunes, at 36, has achieved almost everything in MMA and has also been managing a busy personal life as a mother of two. Therefore, her return was always likely to be a question of timing.
The timing is now perfect, especially with Julianna Peña defending her bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 on June 7. Regardless of who emerges victorious, Nunes will have ample motivation. Peña famously upset Nunes at UFC 269, and despite a dominant loss in their rematch, Peña has consistently called for a trilogy fight with Nunes.
Kayla Harrison, a two-time PFL champion and Nunes`s former training partner, has long been viewed as a significant challenge for Nunes, who was recently announced as a Hall of Fame inductee. Should Harrison defeat Peña, the clamor for a Nunes versus Harrison fight will become overwhelming.
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