Amanda Nunes is ready to reclaim her throne—and she's not mincing words about it. The former bantamweight champion is calling for a July showdown with current titleholder Kayla Harrison, and she's issued a blunt challenge: "Kayla Harrison, get your s—t together!"
Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter in MMA history, has been waiting patiently for Harrison to recover from neck surgery that scrapped their originally scheduled bout at UFC 324. The promotion hoped to rebook the fight for the UFC White House card, but those plans fell through. Now, with International Fight Week approaching on July 11th, Nunes is making it clear she's ready to go.
"I know how to train, I know how to pace myself," Nunes told MMA Junkie. "The first camp didn't work out, but I slowed down a little bit and kept going to the gym. I kept doing the same thing, but with low intensity. Now I've started to pick it up, so I'm ready for any day Kayla gives it to me. I'm waiting on her. When she's 100%, we're gonna make this happen."
For fight fans, this is the matchup that defines the bantamweight division. Nunes—the only woman to hold UFC titles in two weight classes simultaneously—lost her belt in a stunning upset but has been laser-focused on redemption. Harrison, an undefeated two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, has dominated since transitioning to MMA. Their clash promises to be a battle of elite striking versus world-class grappling.
Nunes isn't interested in any detours. When asked about fighting anyone else, she made her stance crystal clear: "I only fight for the belt. I know everybody wants a chance, everybody wants a paycheck. I cannot make what they want."
With International Fight Week just two months away, the clock is ticking. UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell has a reputation for keeping fights under wraps and booking them at the last minute, so nothing is off the table. But for Nunes, the message is simple: she's trained, she's ready, and she's waiting for Harrison to answer the call.
Whether it's July 11th or another date, one thing is certain—when these two finally meet in the Octagon, it will be a fight for the ages. And Nunes is already in the gym, sharpening her tools, ready to remind the world why she's called "The Lioness."