Kayla Harrison defeats Amanda Nunes to retain UFC bantamweight belt | Mixed Martial Arts
Kayla Harrison Retains UFC Bantamweight Title with Win Over Amanda Nunes
NEW YORK (AP) — Kayla Harrison secured her Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight title on Saturday with a fourth-round submission victory over Amanda Nunes in the main event of UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden. Harrison showcased her grappling prowess to fend off Nunes, a two-time champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history.
Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo champion, faced Nunes, who had not fought since her retirement in June 2023. Despite an initial strong performance from Nunes, who displayed sharp striking and successfully defended against early takedown attempts, she was ultimately unable to maintain her momentum.
As the bout progressed, Harrison began to dominate, utilizing her judo skills effectively. Midway through the early rounds, she gained control over Nunes, who found herself in a vulnerable position from which she struggled to escape. In the fourth round, Harrison capitalized on her advantage, taking Nunes to the mat and securing a rear-naked choke, leading to a submission.
“I think I’m still in shock,” Harrison, 36, said following her victory. “It feels surreal. Sometimes I can’t believe my life. I’m just really grateful. I’m humbled; it’s an honor and a privilege to stand before you.”
With a professional record of 20 wins and one loss, Harrison acknowledged she is uncertain about her next steps but expressed her appreciation for the audience. “New York City, I love you,” she declared.
Nunes, whose record stands at 23 wins and six losses, removed her gloves but did not participate in a post-fight interview.
In another title fight on the same card, Ciryl Gane of France retained his heavyweight title by defeating American Josh Hokit by unanimous decision. The five-round match was marked by a vigorous pace, with Gane sweeping the scorecards 48-47 across all three judges.
Gane, who improved his record to 15 wins and two losses, faced an unexpected early takedown from Hokit but quickly recovered. The round featured exchanges of jabs and uppercuts, with both fighters showing tenacity. Hokit, now 10-1, brought an aggressive approach, engaging Gane in physical exchanges early in the match.
As the fight progressed, Gane found his rhythm, responding to Hokit’s advances with body kicks and effective striking combinations. In the final round, Gane effectively defended against Hokit’s takedown attempts and dominated the striking, creating a cut above Hokit’s left eye.
In his post-fight remarks, Gane praised the match, stating, “It was an amazing fight.” Hokit, despite the setback, reflected on the experience, saying, “Resilience builds character.”
