The landscape of women’s MMA has been shaped by seismic showdowns, Rousey vs. Holm, Cyborg vs. Nunes, Weili vs. Joanna, but none have carried the magnitude, anticipation, or legacy implications of Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship. This isn’t just a title fight; it’s the collision of two eras, two icons, and two of the most decorated athletes the sport has ever seen. For the first time, the greatest of all time faces the most credentialed newcomer in a bout that promises to redefine the ceiling for women’s MMA.
Amanda Nunes vs Kayla Harrison (2025) pic.twitter.com/2yGMcYkEdR
— Fight Pics That Go Hard (@fightpicsgohard) June 8, 2025
Why This Fight Is Bigger Than Cyborg vs. Nunes, Rousey vs. Holm, or Any Other
Amanda Nunes’ 2018 knockout of Cris Cyborg was, until now, the gold standard for women’s MMA super fights, a champion vs. champion clash that crowned Nunes as the GOAT and ended Cyborg’s 13-year unbeaten reign. Ronda Rousey’s shocking loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 was a cultural moment that shattered the myth of invincibility and proved the depth of the women’s divisions. Each of these bouts was transformative, but neither featured the convergence of two fighters with the combined resumes, star power, and stakes of Nunes vs. Harrison.
Dana White himself put it succinctly: “White says that Harrison vs. Nunes is a bigger fight than Cyborg vs. Nunes. He says that the sport is bigger now”. And he’s right. The sport is not only more mainstream, but the athletes are more accomplished, the divisions deeper, and the global audience wider than ever before.
White says that Harrison vs. Nunes is a bigger fight than Cyborg vs. Nunes. He says that the sport is bigger now.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 8, 2025
Amanda Nunes is the undisputed queen of women’s MMA. She’s the first woman to hold two UFC titles simultaneously, a record-setter for fastest knockout in bantamweight history, and the only fighter to have defeated every other champion in her division. Her resume includes finishes of Rousey, Holm, Cyborg, and Shevchenko, names that define the sport’s history.
Meanwhile, Kayla Harrison brings an unprecedented pedigree: two Olympic gold medals in judo, two PFL lightweight championships, and now, a UFC bantamweight title captured with a dominant submission over Julianna Peña. She is 19-1 in MMA, undefeated in the UFC, and has proven she can make the grueling cut to 135 pounds and still dominate elite competition.
This is not just champion vs. champion. It’s the GOAT vs. the most decorated crossover athlete in women’s MMA history.
Real Rivalry, Real Stakes
Unlike the manufactured drama that often precedes big fights, the tension between Nunes and Harrison is rooted in years of shared history and mutual respect-turned-rivalry. Both were teammates at American Top Team, and their competitive fire made training sessions were so intense!
Nunes has openly admitted that Harrison’s presence at ATT was the reason she left the gym, anticipating that their paths would eventually cross in the Octagon. This isn’t just about belts or money, it’s about legacy, pride, and settling unfinished business.
The sport has never been bigger. The UFC’s global reach, the depth of the women’s divisions, and the mainstream acceptance of female fighters have all grown exponentially since the days of Rousey’s dominance or even Nunes’ first title reign. Harrison’s arrival and immediate conquest of the bantamweight division has injected new life and intrigue, setting up an inevitable and historic showdown.
Why It’s the Biggest Fight In Women’s MMA History
Some will argue that Rousey’s fights brought more mainstream attention, or that Cyborg’s reign was more fearsome. But in terms of pure sporting merit, anticipation, and legacy, nothing compares to Nunes vs. Harrison. This is the rare fight where the winner will not just be champion, but will have a legitimate claim to being the greatest female fighter of all time.
It’s the first time two women with this level of accomplishment, athletic pedigree, and competitive fire have squared off at the peak of their powers, in the world’s biggest MMA promotion, for the sport’s most storied belt. The winner will not just be a champion, but a legend whose impact will ripple through the sport for decades.
Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison is more than a title fight, it’s a referendum on greatness, a celebration of how far women’s MMA has come, and a glimpse into how high it can still climb. It’s the biggest fight in the history of women’s MMA, and when the cage door closes, the world will be watching to witness history.
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