Amanda Nunes UFC 334 return isn't a one-off

UFC 334 will mark the return of the greatest female fighter in the promotion’s history. Amanda Nunes will make the walk to the octagon for the first time since June 2022 to take on bantamweight champion and former teammate Kayla Harrison in the fight card’s co-main event.

“The Lioness” isn’t simple returning for a grudge match against a former training partner. It’s not a one-off fight for the Brazilian. She would have returned regardless who held the belt and plans to defend the title if she wins it a third time.

“I would have come back anyways,” said told Deep Waters. “I think I did the break in the right time because I know I enjoy more to be there. It’s always more fun to walk in. You know I mean? Always fun for me.

“Being there, doing like everything that I was doing. I was like so burned out. And I kind of needed the break,” she continued. “A lot of people say like, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t retire. You shouldn’t take the break.’ I say like, “If I didn’t retire, UFC still pushing me, still like calling me, still like setting things up I can do because I still have the belt.” And so I go, “You know what? I don’t want to also stop there.””

“You’ve got to defend the belt,” Nunes said told when asked if she’s retiring after UFC 334. “You gotta defend the belt. for sure. …. And then we’re going to see.”

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