Nunes Suffers Shocking Submission Loss To Harrison
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Amanda Nunes tapped to a fourth-round rear-naked choke from Kayla Harrison at UFC 334 on Saturday, ending her comeback in puzzling fashion after more than three years away from the octagon.
The former two-division champion returned to face Harrison for the bantamweight title but repeatedly chose to grapple with the most decorated judoka in United States history. Harrison controlled Nunes on the mat through the first three rounds, landing elbows and punches from dominant positions including side control and the crucifix. When Nunes came out visibly gassed for the fourth, Harrison capitalized with a trip, took the back, and finished the fight at 1:29 with the choke.
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Fighters Blast Nunes' Strategy Against Harrison
UFC veteran Matt Brown summed up the reaction on social media, per MMA Fighting, calling Nunes' approach the "Worst. Gameplan. Ever." The sentiment echoed across the fighter community as multiple pros questioned why Nunes would engage Harrison's world-class grappling instead of keeping the fight standing. Nunes had early success with her striking in the opening round, landing clean punches and forcing Harrison into desperate takedown attempts, but abandoned that strategy as the fight progressed.
Harrison opened a cut over Nunes' right eye with ground strikes in the third round and never looked back. "I think I'm still in shock," Harrison said after the finish, according to MMA Fighting. "It feels surreal. Sometimes I can't believe my life. I'm just really grateful."
🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC 334 on Ticketmaster →
Harrison defended her title in what could serve as the biggest win of her career. Nunes has not announced whether she plans to continue fighting or return to retirement following the loss.
Photo by Nolan Kent on Unsplash
Original reporting:
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