Nunes Faces Harrison at UFC 334 in November
Amanda Nunes returns from a three-year absence to meet Kayla Harrison at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Amanda Nunes will face Kayla Harrison at UFC 334 on November 14, 2026, marking Nunes's first fight since June 2023. The bout follows Harrison's withdrawal from a planned January 2026 matchup with Nunes due to a neck injury.
Why it matters
The fight pits a retired two-division champion against the current titleholder in a matchup that was delayed by injury. Nunes has said she intends to defend the belt if she wins, setting up a possible title defense.
Nunes retired in June 2023 as a two-division champion after beating Irene Aldana at UFC 289. Harrison, 36, submitted Julianna Peña at UFC 316 in June 2025 to win the title.
The players
Amanda Nunes
Nunes is a former two-division UFC champion who retired in 2023 and is returning to face Kayla Harrison.
Kayla Harrison
Harrison is a former Olympic judoka who became UFC champion after submitting Julianna Peña at UFC 316 in June 2025.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The UFC is the world's largest mixed martial arts promotion and is organizing the UFC 334 card at Madison Square Garden.
The details
Nunes and Harrison were originally booked for UFC 324 in January 2026, but Harrison withdrew about two weeks out because of a neck injury that required a two-level cervical fusion. Rather than book Nunes against another opponent, the UFC waited, and the rematch of their planned matchup now takes place at UFC 334, headlined by Ciryl Gane's heavyweight title defense against Josh Hokit.
Timeline
June 2023: Nunes beats Irene Aldana at UFC 289 and retires.
June 2025: Harrison submits Julianna Peña at UFC 316 to win the title.
January 2026: Nunes and Harrison are booked for UFC 324; Harrison withdraws with a neck injury.
November 14, 2026: Nunes faces Harrison at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden.
Season Trajectory
The UFC 334 bout revives a matchup that was derailed in January 2026 when Harrison withdrew from UFC 324. It places Nunes's return within a women's bantamweight and featherweight picture that Harrison has led since winning the title in 2025.
The bout is set for November 14, 2026, so fans planning viewing or attendance have a fixed date to track. A Nunes win would give her a title defense opportunity, while a Harrison win would keep the belt in her hands.
The takeaway
A rescheduled matchup after a serious injury can still produce a meaningful title fight, and this bout will test whether Nunes can return to elite form after a long layoff.
What happens next
Nunes faces Harrison at UFC 334 on November 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden.
Further reading
Explore more Mixed Martial Arts coverage for context on the fighters and events shaping the sport.
