Amanda Nunes Trains with Larissa Pacheco Ahead of UFC 324 Comeback

The 'Lioness' prepares to challenge Kayla Harrison for the women's bantamweight title with help from the only fighter to defeat Harrison.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:27pm

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An extreme close-up of two MMA fighters engaged in an intense training session, their movements captured in a vibrant, expressionist style using rapid brushstrokes and neon colors to convey the raw energy and determination of their preparation for an upcoming title fight.The 'Lioness' Amanda Nunes trains with Larissa Pacheco, the only fighter to defeat Kayla Harrison, as she prepares for her UFC 324 comeback.Las Vegas Today

MMA superstar Amanda Nunes is gearing up for her highly anticipated comeback fight against Kayla Harrison at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. In a surprising move, Nunes has enlisted the help of Larissa Pacheco, the only fighter to ever defeat Harrison in her professional career.

Why it matters

Pacheco's insights and experience could provide a crucial advantage for Nunes as she looks to reclaim the women's bantamweight title from the dominant Harrison. However, Harrison has previously defeated Pacheco twice, so the impact of this partnership remains to be seen.

The details

Nunes, who has been laying low, is now in the final stages of her training camp. She recently shared a photo showcasing her impressive physique as she prepares for the title fight on January 24th at the T-Mobile Arena. Standing beside Nunes in the photo is Larissa Pacheco, the only fighter to ever defeat Kayla Harrison in her professional career. Pacheco secured a unanimous decision victory over Harrison in the 2022 PFL lightweight championship, but Harrison had previously bested Pacheco twice, making their head-to-head record 2-1 in Harrison's favor.

  • Nunes and Pacheco are training together ahead of UFC 324 on January 24, 2026.
  • Pacheco last competed in October 2024, when she lost to Cris Cyborg.

The players

Amanda Nunes

A former two-division UFC champion known as the 'Lioness,' Nunes is making a highly anticipated comeback to challenge Kayla Harrison for the women's bantamweight title.

Larissa Pacheco

A Brazilian MMA fighter who is the only person to have defeated Kayla Harrison in her professional career, Pacheco is now training alongside Nunes to help her prepare for the title fight.

Kayla Harrison

A dominant MMA fighter who holds the women's bantamweight title, Harrison has a 2-1 head-to-head record against Larissa Pacheco, her upcoming opponent's training partner.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This partnership between Nunes and Pacheco could provide a unique strategic advantage for the 'Lioness' as she looks to reclaim the women's bantamweight title from the dominant Kayla Harrison. However, Harrison's previous victories over Pacheco suggest that the impact of this training relationship may be limited, and the outcome of the fight remains uncertain.