Yesterday we learned some interesting news regarding the UFC women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes (21-5). Nunes is leaving American Top Team to start her own team in Florida after falling short and losing her bantamweight title back at UFC 269.
Nunes completely changed her career around when she started training with ATT. The news was stunning to many, but perhaps it signals a potential superfight down the road. It’s widely known that Kayla Harrison (12-0) has been one of Nunes’ main training partners at ATT.
Harrison is currently a free agent and she’s being courted by the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. However, many speculate that the UFC is the front runner. In speaking to a few folks, some believe that a Harrison signing could happen in the next week or two.
Harrison attended UFC 269 and watched Nunes take on Julianna Pena (11-4). Nunes was a massive favorite and Harrison was getting the free agent treatment. The UFC even featured her on the big screen which only occurs when the promotion is seriously interested.
However, there were questions surrounding whether Harrison and Nunes would fight considering they train together. Nunes losing to Pena also threw a wrench in that potential plan. Dana White admitted he was interested in that fight. Well, Nunes leaving ATT clears one hurdle for the UFC making the fight happen.
Will Harrison sign with the UFC?
Amanda Nunes has no competition currently in the featherweight division. Harrison would provide a massive challenge and it would make for a very compelling fight at 145 pounds. My guess is that the UFC is making a push to sign Harrison and I think they will ultimately get a deal done.
Does that mean the super fight is going to happen? I don’t believe so. The UFC is currently working on booking the rematch between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Pena. The immediate rematch needs to take place after Pena shocked the world and took the title from Nunes.
My guess is that the UFC would like to get Harrison in and get her a fight with the promotion. Perhaps booking her against someone like Holly Holm. While Holly Holm is certainly no pushover, I think she would struggle with the grappling skills and strength of Harrison.
On the flip side, Holm would be the first legitimate test for Harrison. Around the same time or even perhaps on the same card, the UFC could book the rematch between Nunes and Pena. If Nunes and Harrison both were to win, the superfight would be back on and the hype would have restored after hitting a speed bump in December.
Time will tell, but I’m expecting a Harrison to sign soon and I’m expecting it to be with the UFC.