Is Amanda Nunes coming back to the UFC?
Almost every top contender in the women’s bantamweight division has been calling her out. UFC President Dana White has said multiple times he thinks she retired too soon.
Finally, it seems Nunes, 36 may have been bitten by the fight bug enough to return to the Octagon. Nunes took to Instagram on Monday with a message for White on her story.
Jed I. Goodman posted it on X before it expired on Nunes’ account.
The song playing in the video singing is called “Outdoor,” from a group called Só Pra Contrariar. The lyrics of the song are:
“I can’t believe you won’t look for me
I’ve suffered too much beyond what I deserve
Oh, please call
I miss you so much.”
Nunes changed the lyrics for her video as she asked White to “call me, please.”
If Nunes is serious about a return, she could immediately insert herself into the title picture at 135 pounds.
Because she retired with the title after successfully defending it against Irene Aldana in June 2023, Nunes could probably cut the line and get an immediate shot at regaining her championship.
Julianna Pena regained the 135-pound title on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Pena dethroned Raquel Pennington with a narrow split decision victory.
Pena would likely be thrilled if Nunes were allowed an immediate title shot. The former has never stopped calling for a third fight with Nunes since she lost the rematch to the Brazilian icon in July 2022 after taking her championship in their first fight in December 2021.
Immediately after Pena defeated Pennington, she no-sold a potential fight with new No. 1 contender Kayla Harrison and called for Nunes to come out of retirement to finish their trilogy.
While Pena would be elated if Nunes returns, Harrison would be at the opposite end of the spectrum. Harrison walked away from the Professional Fighters League to chase greatness in the UFC.
She can only accomplish that if she can become a world champion in the No. 1 MMA promotion in the world. Since arriving at the UFC, Harrison has scored wins over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira (this one came on Saturday’s card).
Harrison has also had to undergo brutal weight cuts to fit into the UFC’s 135-pound division while she was allowed to fight at her more natural 145-pound class with the PFL.
It’s unclear how much longer Harrison can make 135 pounds healthily. After she divulged some graphic health issues during her most recent weight cut, you could argue she’s already treading on thin ice.
If she were made to wait for another fight before getting her title shot, that probably wouldn’t sit well with her as it would add another rung to the already formidable ladder she’s had to climb.
Perhaps Nunes’ return could reignite the women’s featherweight division, which could provide Harrison a more permanent home with the UFC. If the division isn’t recreated, it’s hard to imagine the UFC being able to keep her on the roster for the long haul.
Overall, Nunes’ return to the UFC would be great for business. The division has lacked pizazz since she left. Harrison’s presence and Pena’s resurgence have helped, but a returning Nunes is unquestionably a main-event fight on most pay-per-view shows.
Stay tuned.
