When the UFC 324 fight card was announced, many expected the women’s bantamweight title fight between champion Kayla Harrison and returning legend Amanda Nunes to headline. Instead, the promotion placed Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett in the top spot, but Harrison isn’t losing sleep over the decision.
“It’s not about me, and it’s not about Amanda,” Harrison stated plainly. “I think it’s about the belt. That should mean something.” Her focus remains singular: defending her title against arguably the greatest women’s mixed martial artist of all time.
A Champion’s Perspective on Card Placement
While fans and pundits debated the UFC’s matchmaking priorities, Harrison displayed the mindset that has made her a dominant champion. She even joked about the scheduling perks of not headlining.
“Honestly, I’d fight on the prelims if it meant I could get to bed earlier,” she quipped. “The time slot doesn’t change the task. I have to beat Amanda Nunes. That’s what I’m preparing for.”
This pragmatic approach underscores Harrison’s professional maturity. In a sport often driven by ego and spotlight, her priority is the championship itself, not the ceremonial position on the poster.
The Ultimate Challenge: Facing a Returning Legend
The fight represents the most significant challenge of Harrison’s career. Amanda Nunes, the “Lioness,” is returning from a brief retirement to reclaim the title she never lost in the octagon. With a record that includes victories over virtually every major name in women’s MMA history, Nunes presents a unique stylistic and historical hurdle.
“This is the fight that defines a legacy,” Harrison acknowledged. “Beating Amanda isn’t just another win. It’s a statement. It’s about proving you belong on that Mount Rushmore of the sport.”
For Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medallist in judo, this is familiar territory. She has built her career on embracing the biggest challenges, and facing Nunes is the culmination of that philosophy.
Looking Beyond UFC 324
Regardless of the card’s hierarchy, the Harrison-Nunes bout is the one with the most profound implications for the sport’s history. A win for Harrison cements her transition from judo legend to MMA icon. A win for Nunes would be one of the great comeback stories in combat sports.
“In a few weeks, none of this will matter—who was first, who was second on the poster,” Harrison concluded. “All that will matter is who has their hand raised and who is holding the belt. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about.”
With that clarity of purpose, Kayla Harrison prepares not for a main event, but for a defining moment in her career and in women’s mixed martial arts.
