4. Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes
Let’s start with the obvious: Harrison vs. Nunes was in the works for a while, with all parties having a desire to make the bout happen.
Why wouldn’t they? You have the most dominant woman in the history of the UFC, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, in Amanda Nunes making her return after retiring on top in 2023. But this time she is not the champion but once again the challenger and she’s facing a two-time Olympic gold medalist who has only ever suffered one loss in an MMA career that has commanded attention since day one in Kayla Harrison who now has the title Nunes previously held.
Could it get any better? Of course. Harrison found herself training in Nunes’s long time home of American Top Team early into her career and the two were training alongside each other as the former was burgeoning as a pro while the latter was in the midst of cementing herself as arguably the best we may ever see in the sport. In recent years Nunes left the celebrated gym. While neither has shared deeply personal details regarding her departure one thing has been made clear: a part of it was because it felt like the two of them would eventually be connected to a fight with each other.
In recent years, there have been several women in high profile matchups with great storylines. Harrison vs Nunes has everything those other matchups did: skill, pedigree, accolades. But what makes it special is they have the one thing the others didn’t: this is personal.
Of the fights on this list, this one is officially booked and the two will collide on January 24 to kickoff the first event of the Paramount era.
