Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes Predictions & Picks – Harrison To Retain In UFC 334 ‘Dream Fight’
- Kayla Harrison tipped to retain UFC bantamweight title by submission or decision
- Harrison’s grappling and size are seen as key advantages over Amanda Nunes
- Nunes returns after a three-year absence; has lost by submission and decision before
Kayla Harrison (Getty Images)
Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes Predictions & Picks
Kayla Harrison is tipped to retain the UFC women’s bantamweight title.
Harrison’s size and grappling is the key to victory here – she can cancel out Amanda Nunes’ striking advantage by clinching, smothering and taking her to the canvas throughout.
It may not be pretty, but it can be enough to wear down Nunes – who has not fought in over three years – and result in a decision or submission win.
- Kayla Harrison has a 19-1 career record
- All 3 of Kayla Harrison’s UFC wins have been by submission or decision
- 13 of Kayla Harrison’s 19 career wins have been by submission or decision
- Amanda Nunes has been submitted 2 times in her career
- 3 of Amanda Nunes’ 5 losses have been via submission or decision
Kayla Harrison Form
Kayla Harrison is the reigning and defending UFC women’s bantamweight champion with a career record of 19-1 (6 KOs, 8 Subs).
Harrison – a legend in the world of judo – crossed over into mixed martial arts in June 2018 and enjoyed a successful run with the Professional Fighter’s League (PFL).
She won the 2019 and 2021 lightweight tournaments, but failed to complete the hat-trick when she dropped a decision to Larissa Pacheco in the 2022 final.
That remains the 36-year-old American’s only career defeat though.
Harrison rebounded to beat Aspen Ladd via unanimous decision, and that proved to be her final bout under the PFL banner as she inked a deal with the UFC.
She made her UFC debut in April 2024 and made an immediate mark with a second-round submission of former champion – and standout boxer – Holly Holm.
The American followed that up with a points win over Ketlen Vieira, before claiming the women’s bantamweight crown last year, submitting Julianna Pena in the second round of their bout.
Amanda Nunes Form
Amanda Nunes is a former UFC women’s featherweight and bantamweight champion with a career record of 23-5 (13 KOs, 4 Subs).
Nunes debuted in the UFC in the summer of 2013, and although she lost early in her career with the promotion, she quickly embarked on a history-making run.
She submitted Miesha Tate in the first round in July 2016 to win the bantamweight crown, and went on to make successful defences against Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko and Raquel Pennington.
The 38-year-old Brazilian then made history in December 2018 as she became the first two-weight female world champion in UFC history, knocking out Cris Cyborg in 51 seconds to claim the featherweight title.
Nunes went on to move back and forth between the two weight classes, making successful defences against the likes of Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie, Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson.
Her dominant run was brought to a shuddering halt in December 2021 though, when she was submitted in the second round in her bantamweight title fight by Julianna Pena.
‘The Lioness’ gained her revenge the following July, out-pointing Pena to reclaim the championship, and in June of the following year she beat Irena Aldana via unanimous decision before announcing her retirement.
Verdict
Amanda Nunes is the greatest female fighter of all time, but three years is a long time to be away from the Octagon, and she has not had any warm-up fights.
Kayla Harrison’s size and grappling could be too much for ‘The Lioness’, so we are backing the champion to retain by submission or decision.
Kayla Harrison’s size and grappling could be too much for ‘The Lioness’, so we are backing the champion to retain by submission or decision.
Leigh Copson
Sports Editor • 25+ Years Experience, US & Combat Sports Specialist
US sports writer covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, boxing and MMA, with previews, predictions and betting tips across the major American leagues.
During his career at the Press Association and online sports sites including FreeTips and ExpertPicks.com, he has covered some of the biggest sporting events on the planet, including the Super Bowl, the Champions League Final and the World Cup Final.
He has also covered almost every major boxing match and UFC fight card during this time.. His specialist sports are American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Football.