Harrison backs UFC return for 'greatest of all time' Nunes

Kayla Harrison says Amanda Nunes is the "greatest of all time" and has urged the Brazilian to return to the UFC.

Former featherweight and bantamweight champion Nunes is the only woman in history to hold two UFC titles in two weight classes simultaneously.

The 36-year-old retired, bringing her glittering 15-year career to a close, after defending her bantamweight crown against Irene Aldana in 2023.

"I just think that she is the greatest of all time. To me, that's a very clear distinction of where she has put herself, and I didn't come to the sport to be the second greatest," said Harrison., external

"May we share the cage with respect and dignity, and may the best woman win."

Speculation around a potential return for Nunes grew when she attended a news conference earlier this month promoting Julianna Pena's bantamweight title defence against fellow American Harrison at UFC 316 on 7 June.

UFC president Dana White was asked by the media if Nunes would face the winner of the bout, before cameras showed the Brazilian nodding in agreement.

Nunes, who left the sport with 23 wins from 28 bouts, holds a number of UFC records among women, including:

The UFC is set to celebrate Nunes' accomplishments by inducting her into its Hall of Fame in June.

Pena, who shocked Nunes in 2021 to win the bantamweight title before defeat in the rematch the following year, is making the first defence of her belt against Harrison after defeating Raquel Pennington in October.

Former two-time PFL champion Harrison is competing for the belt in only her third UFC bout, after dominant wins over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira in 2024.