Nunes On Harrison's Complicated Past As Teammates

Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison were once training partners at American Top Team, but the relationship between the two women's MMA stars deteriorated long before they ever shared the Octagon.

Harrison arrived at the gym believing she had found a mentor in the two-division UFC champion, according to ESPN. Nunes, however, saw something different — a future competitor who would eventually challenge her standing in the sport. That fundamental disconnect between what Harrison expected and what Nunes perceived set the tone for years of tension.

What Drove the Rift Between Nunes and Harrison

The friction escalated as Harrison climbed the ranks outside the UFC, building her name through PFL victories while Nunes defended her bantamweight and featherweight titles. Nunes reportedly grew wary of Harrison's presence in the same training room, viewing the Olympic judo gold medalist as a direct threat rather than a teammate. Harrison later left American Top Team, and the two have traded verbal jabs ever since.

Harrison signed with the UFC in 2024 and has repeatedly called for a showdown with Nunes, who retired briefly before returning to the bantamweight division. Whether the two ever meet inside the cage remains uncertain, but their shared history ensures any potential matchup would carry personal stakes beyond the fight itself.

Reported via:

• ESPN MMA — Inside the complicated history of Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison