Harrison Rejects Retirement Talk Before UFC 334

Kayla Harrison is not entertaining retirement questions ahead of her bantamweight title defense against Amanda Nunes at UFC 334.

The champion told reporters at UFC 334 media day that she plans to handle retirement talk after Saturday's co-main event, according to BJ Penn. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Harrison said. "We'll see. I'm really grateful to be back doing what I love — again — against the greatest of all time, and I can't wait."

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 334 on Ticketmaster →

Harrison's Return After Neck Surgery

Harrison was originally scheduled to fight Nunes at UFC 324 in January but withdrew after suffering a neck injury that required spinal surgery. The lengthy recovery prompted speculation about her future in the sport, but Harrison said the difference in how she feels now compared to before the procedure is dramatic. She described the contrast as night and day, per the report, noting she had been in constant pain before going under the knife.

The champion said the recovery took longer than expected but allowed her body to fully heal. Harrison credited the delay with boosting her confidence heading into the bout at Madison Square Garden.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 334 on Ticketmaster →

Harrison enters the fight 19-1 after submitting Julianna Pena last summer to claim the belt. Nunes, a former two-division champion, returns after time away from competition. The two trained together before becoming rivals, making Saturday's matchup one of the most anticipated in women's MMA.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Kayla Harrison shuts down retirement talk ahead of UFC 334: ‘Cross that bridge when we get to it’