Nunes Weighs In For UFC 334 After Three-Year Absence

Amanda Nunes looked fit and focused on the scale Friday ahead of her UFC 334 return against Kayla Harrison at Madison Square Garden.

The 38-year-old Brazilian has not competed since June 2023, when she held championship belts at both bantamweight and featherweight. She faces Harrison, an Olympic gold medalist who once trained alongside her at American Top Team, in Saturday's co-headliner. MMA Mania reported that Nunes appeared sharp during the official weigh-in ceremony.

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Why The Former Champion Decided To Return

Nunes told CBS Sports that the women's divisions needed an injection of star power. "I'm coming back to make this hype again," she said, adding that she deeply missed competition during her time away.

Harrison captured the bantamweight title while Nunes was retired. The former champion said she predicted Harrison would claim the strap when the Olympic wrestler signed with the promotion, viewing it as the ideal setup for her own comeback fight.

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Nunes compiled a 23-5 career record before stepping away in 2023. Saturday marks her return after the longest layoff of her professional career. The New York card airs live with the main card scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Amanda Nunes side-by-side pics: Here’s what UFC 334 co-headliner looks like after more than three years away