Kayla Harrison stuns Amanda Nunes at UFC 334 months after neck surgery

Résumé détaillé

Beat a legend, become a legend. Kayla Harrison already was an Olympic icon for her decorated judo career, but her run in MMA lacked a win over a real queen of this sport. That changed S…

Kayla Harrison already was an Olympic icon for her decorated judo career, but her run in MMA lacked a win over a real queen of this sport.

That changed Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, where she submitted returning UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes — her former American Top Team training partner — in the fourth round of their women’s bantamweight title fight.

“I am still in shock,” Harrison said in her first remarks in the cage after the win via rear-naked choke.

The victory comes 10 months after this fight originally was to happen. Plans were scuttled by Harrison electing to undergo neck surgery, a decision she told The Post earlier this week was a long time coming but was unavoidable.

With that as the backdrop, and the fact that the weight cut to 135 pounds drains her more than most, UFC color commentator Joe Rogan asked her about her future in the sport after her first successful title defense.

“I’ve got a lot of decisions to make when I get home,” Harrison replied. “… We’ll see.”

The Garden crowd uncharacteristically went for the Brazilian Nunes, who retired in 2023 but announced in June 2025 her intent to return to competition, from the start — perhaps keenly aware of Harrison’s Red Sox fandom.

It sure didn’t hurt as Nunes scored with her more potent striking arsenal in the early going.

But Harrison’s world-class judo turned the tide, throwing down the legend and landing in a crucifix while raining unblocked punches — none too heavy, though. Certainly, it was enough to secure the opening frame on the scorecards.

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