Kayla Harrison Challenges Amanda Nunes as 'Greatest Fight of All Time'

Ronda Rousey's comeback fight comments spark war of words between Harrison and Nunes.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:33pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and intensity of a women's MMA title fight, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of vibrant red, blue, and yellow colors.The highly anticipated title fight between two of women's MMA's greatest champions promises to push the sport to new heights.Los Angeles Today

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison has fired back at former UFC champion Ronda Rousey's recent criticism, challenging current UFC bantamweight titleholder Amanda Nunes to a fight that Harrison says will be the 'greatest of all time' in women's MMA. This comes after Rousey dismissed Harrison's upcoming title defense against Nunes as not being the biggest female fight ever, a claim Harrison strongly disagrees with.

Why it matters

The ongoing feud between Harrison and Rousey highlights the growing rivalry and competitive landscape in women's MMA, as a new generation of stars like Harrison emerge to challenge the previous era's icons like Rousey. Harrison's callout of Nunes also sets up a potential superfight between two of the sport's top pound-for-pound fighters, which could elevate the profile of women's MMA even further.

The details

Harrison, who is often compared to Rousey due to their similar judo backgrounds, was critical of Rousey's recent comeback fight announcement, saying Rousey should not speak about it if she has nothing nice to say. Rousey then fired back, comparing Harrison to rising UFC star Paddy Pimblett in an apparent slight. This sparked a war of words, with Harrison doubling down by challenging Nunes, the consensus women's GOAT, to a fight that she believes will be the greatest in women's MMA history. Harrison is expected to defend her title against Nunes when she returns from injury, setting up a potential blockbuster matchup between the two dominant champions.

  • On April 16, 2026, Kayla Harrison sent a message to Amanda Nunes on social media challenging her to a fight.
  • Harrison's fight against Nunes is expected to take place at UFC 324, though an exact date has not been set.

The players

Kayla Harrison

A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo who has transitioned to MMA, where she is the current UFC bantamweight champion. Harrison has often been compared to former UFC star Ronda Rousey due to their similar backgrounds.

Amanda Nunes

The current UFC women's bantamweight and featherweight champion, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter of all time. Nunes is expected to face Harrison in a title unification bout when she returns from injury.

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC women's bantamweight champion who was one of the first mainstream stars of women's MMA. Rousey has recently announced a comeback fight, which has sparked a war of words with Harrison.

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What they’re saying

“Good morning @Amanda_Leoa (Nunes)! I can't wait for us to have the greatest fight of all time and take women's MMA to a whole new level. The best vs. the GOAT!”

— Kayla Harrison, UFC Bantamweight Champion

“She's right, it's not the biggest women's fight of all time. That would be my comeback fight against Gina Carano.”

— Ronda Rousey

What’s next

Harrison is expected to undergo a CT scan in the coming weeks to determine if she can start sparring again after undergoing neck surgery earlier this year. If she passes the medical test, she could be cleared to begin training for a title unification bout against Nunes, which is targeted for UFC 324.

The takeaway

The ongoing feud between Harrison and Rousey, as well as Harrison's challenge to Nunes, highlights the growing depth and competitiveness of women's MMA. A potential superfight between Harrison and Nunes would be a landmark moment for the sport, showcasing two of the best female fighters of their generation battling for supremacy.