Kayla Harrison Defeats Amanda Nunes to Keep UFC Bantamweight Title

Kayla Harrison kept her UFC bantamweight championship by defeating Amanda Nunes with a fourth-round submission on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. The match spoiled the return of Nunes, who is widely seen as the greatest female fighter in mixed martial arts history after ending a three-year retirement for the co-main event of UFC 334.

The Fight

Harrison improved her record to 20-1 in her first title defense. The contest marked her first fight since June 2025 following spinal fusion surgery in January to treat a neck injury. Nunes, holding a 23-6 record, tried to wrestle the two-time Olympic judo champion and spent the first two rounds on her back while taking short punches and elbows to the head. Harrison noted the challenge of cutting weight to the 135-pound bantamweight limit. In the fourth round, Harrison tripped Nunes to the canvas and applied a rear-naked choke that forced the Brazilian fighter to submit.

Other Bouts

In another notable match, 43-year-old Stephen Thompson ended his career with a victory in a welterweight bout against Charles Radtke. Thompson won by stoppage in the third round using a spinning wheel kick to the head, after which he left his gloves on the canvas to signal his retirement. UFC chief Dana White attended the event, marking a decade since mixed martial arts was legalized in New York.

Context

Madison Square Garden remains one of the most famous venues in combat sports, hosting major MMA cards annually since the sport was legalized in New York state. Championship bouts at this venue are seen as major career milestones for professional fighters.