Kayla Harrison has retained the UFC bantamweight title after submitting Amanda Nunes in the fourth round of their main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The American used her superior grappling to overcome the former two-weight champion, who was competing after stepping away from mixed martial arts in June 2023. Nunes made a sharp start, but struggled to deal with Harrison’s sustained pressure on the mat.
Nunes initially avoided several takedown attempts and looked composed in the striking exchanges. Harrison gradually imposed her judo, however, repeatedly taking her opponent down and controlling her from the top.
The champion’s ground work left Nunes spending much of the latter part of the opening two rounds underneath her in a scarf-hold position. Harrison continued to find perfectly timed trips and throws before securing heavy control on the canvas.
In the fourth round, Harrison took Nunes’ back and quickly applied a rear-naked choke. The 38-year-old Brazilian submitted, allowing Harrison to retain her belt and move her record to 20 wins and one defeat.
“I think I’m still in shock,” Harrison said afterwards. The 36-year-old, a two-time Olympic judo champion, had surgery on herniated discs in her neck in January.
“It feels surreal. Sometimes I can’t believe my life. I’m just really grateful, I’m humbled, it’s an honour and a privilege to stand before you,” she added, addressing Nunes.
Harrison said she was uncertain about what would come next before turning her attention to the home crowd. “New York City, I love you,” she told the audience.
Nunes removed her gloves after the defeat but did not take part in a post-fight interview. Her record now stands at 23 wins and six defeats.
