Kayla Harrison submits Amanda Nunes in fourth round to retain UFC bantamweight title

Kayla Harrison retained her UFC women's bantamweight title on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, submitting Amanda Nunes with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round. The win, in Harrison's first title defense, spoiled the comeback of Nunes, who ended a retirement that began in 2023 to take the fight.

Harrison (20-1), a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, was fighting for the first time since June 2025. The bout had been pushed back about 10 months after she had neck surgery, which the Guardian describes as a January spinal fusion. Nunes (23-6) struck well early, but Harrison threw her to the mat repeatedly, landing punches and elbows. In the fourth she tripped Nunes by the right leg, took her back and forced the tap. Harrison said, “I am still in shock.” Asked by Joe Rogan about her future, she answered, “I've got a lot of decisions to make when I get home.” She also said cutting to 135 pounds is draining.

The Guardian US, on the left, leads with the result and records, then walks through the fight round by round, with Nunes spending the first two rounds on her back and Harrison's entrance to Eye of the Tiger. It closes by saying Harrison has staked her claim as the best fighter right now, and notes that Nunes walked out unaided while Harrison needed help. The New York Post, on the right, opens on Harrison finally beating a “real queen of this sport,” and centers on her quotes, the Rogan exchange, Nunes's early striking, and a crowd that backed Nunes. It describes the surgery as Harrison's choice and calls her punches “none too heavy,” while the Guardian says they wore Nunes down as much as hurt her. Both agree on the venue, round and finish. Reuters' wire coverage stresses Harrison's grappling.