Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes are one sleep away from their long-awaited UFC 334 super fight, the co-main event of Saturday's card at Madison Square Garden in New York, broadcast on Paramount+. Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) returns from an 18-month layoff after neck surgery to put the women's bantamweight gold on the line against Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC), a former multi-time champion who has not fought since June 2023.

The two former American Top Team teammates were originally due to meet in January before Harrison's injury forced a delay, but both made it through camp this time. Ahead of Friday's ceremonial weigh-ins they shared the octagon for a final faceoff in front of fans and media, a moment that closes a build-up that has run for nearly five years.S1S2

The fight was first floated in 2021, when Harrison was free to leave the PFL, but Nunes then suffered a shock defeat to Julianna Peña and Harrison returned to the PFL. Nunes reclaimed her title and later retired, while Harrison joined the UFC in 2024 and won the bantamweight title in June 2025, after which Nunes came out of retirement to make the bout happen. An injury pushed it back another 10 months.S2

Harrison's Olympic judo background, with gold medals at two Games, remains the core of her game. She has used it to win two PFL titles and the UFC bantamweight belt, and she has repeatedly made 135 pounds despite having competed at 170 in judo. Analysts point to her clinch work, takedowns and top pressure as her main route to victory, while her striking is seen as the weakness.S2

Nunes has shown vulnerability on the feet, particularly against the jab, and her path to a win is likely to depend on keeping the fight standing. The outcome will settle a rivalry that has been building since the two trained together at American Top Team.S1S2