UFC Legend Announces Return: ‘I’m Back and Ready!

UFC Legend Says He’s Coming Out of Retirement: ‘I’m Back and Ready!

UFC President Dana White was very happy after UFC 314. The event seemed to be a big financial success, with a reported $11.5 million in ticket sales at the Kaseya Center in Miami. But White’s excitement might also be because of the return of a legend.

After UFC 314, former UFC women’s featherweight and bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, who was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, announced that she’s coming back to fight.

“The UFC is my home,” Nunes said. “That’s my cage. I am the Lioness. I’m back and ready to fight.” It’s hard to imagine a fighter making a stronger statement about coming out of retirement.

Nunes is set to fight the winner of the match between Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison at UFC 316. It looks like Nunes is hoping Kayla Harrison wins to take down her old rival.

Nunes said, “Kayla Harrison motivated me a lot. When she joined the UFC, it was a big deal. She always talked about me in interviews. I thought, ‘I don’t have any injuries, I’m good, I’m still training, and I’m healthy.’ So, why not? It’s a great challenge. My whole career has been about facing challenges. I love that feeling—the challenge, the threat. Kayla brings a challenge to this division, and I like being part of that.”

Nunes will be 37 by the time she can fight for the title. Her 37th birthday is next month.

However, she is not much older than the women she’s targeting. Peña will turn 36 in August, and Harrison will be 35 in July. Nunes’ time away from fighting could help her, as she’s had a chance to rest her body and mind before returning to the sport.

Peña has fought Nunes twice.

In December 2021, Peña beat Nunes by submitting her in the second round to win the title. In their rematch, Nunes won the title back with a unanimous decision in July 2022.

Peña has wanted a third fight with Nunes since losing the second one. She was at Nunes’ last fight in June 2023, where Nunes won a unanimous decision over Irene Aldana.

Nunes announced her retirement in the ring, but while the crowd cheered, Peña booed her. Peña said Nunes was avoiding their third fight. Now, Peña needs to beat Harrison to get the fight she believes she deserves.

This is an interesting story with three fighters, and it should unfold soon since none of them seem to have much time left in the sport.

Here are the results from UFC 314, if you missed them: