Amanda Nunes isn’t interested in easing back into the game, she’s coming straight for the throne.
The former two-division champion had her long-awaited return set for UFC 324 in January after nearly three years away. But just hours before fight night, everything fell apart. Kayla Harrison suffered a neck injury, and their bantamweight title clash was scrapped at the last minute.
Still, Amanda Nunes hasn’t changed her stance. She’s not taking a detour, and she’s definitely not fighting for an interim belt.
“I know everybody wants a chance,” Nunes said. “I know everybody wants to fight me, and I know everybody wants to get a paycheck. I know that.
“But it’s not like that. I only fight for the undisputed belt. I cannot make what they want, you know?”
That’s the mindset. Amanda Nunes isn’t here to fill gaps—she’s here to reclaim what she believes is hers.
“I feel like I’m going to have an opportunity for all of them,” she added. “They just have to wait, like I did. I waited so much to fight for the belt. One day, I did it. So I think they should wait.”
Now, Amanda Nunes is eyeing a return during International Fight Week, with a potential showdown at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11. The card is rumored to feature Conor McGregor, making it an even bigger stage for her comeback.
“I feel like International Fight Week would be a good one,” Nunes said. “I feel like UFC wanted that too. So I hope Kayla is ready for it, and I can’t wait for the call.
“I hope she’s ready, though, because I am. Let’s see what is gonna happen.”
Harrison has returned to training, but her timeline remains unclear. For now, the division waits—and so does Amanda Nunes, but only for the right fight.
Interestingly, Nunes never had an issue with where her comeback fight was placed on the card before the cancellation. Whether it was the main event or not didn’t matter to her.
“If UFC put it in the main event, it would be great,” Nunes said. “If it’s the co-main event, if it’s the first fight of the night, I want my belt back. It doesn’t bother me at all. I just want to step in the cage for the fight.
“This is what I like to do. This is what I’m born to do. I’m a champion. I’m going for the belt. First fight or last fight, I don’t care. I just want my belt back.”
Amanda Nunes last fought in June 2023, when she dominated Irene Aldana to defend her bantamweight title at UFC 289 before announcing her retirement.
But even then, there was unfinished business, especially with Harrison. The two former training partners have long been on a collision course, and now, it feels closer than ever.
Amanda Nunes isn’t coming back for a moment. She’s coming back for the belt.
