Kayla Harrison defeated Amanda Nunes with a late submission to retain the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 334.
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Kayla Harrison retained her UFC bantamweight title at UFC 334, submitting challenger Amanda Nunes late in the bout after surviving a stronger start from her opponent.
The finish came when Harrison seized Nunes’ neck for a submission, forcing Nunes to tap.
Harrison said after the fight that she was “still in shock,” adding, “I was sexually abused at a young age. Statistically, I’m not supposed to be here.”
Harrison had also been considering retirement following neck surgery in January, which delayed the fight that was originally scheduled for UFC 324.
To compete at bantamweight, Harrison also undergoes serious weight cuts and has said previously that cutting weight takes years off her life; after UFC 334, she said she has injuries that need healing.
The bout was the latest chapter in a rivalry that dates back to Harrison joining American Top Team, the same gym that helped Nunes become a two-division champion in 2018, before Nunes later left to start her own camp.
With the win, Harrison improved to 20-1 and spoiled Nunes’ return after a three-year retirement.
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