Get ready for a comeback that’s shaking the MMA world to its core: Amanda Nunes is back, and she’s bringing a secret weapon to reclaim her throne at UFC 324. But here’s where it gets controversial—her weapon isn’t just any fighter; it’s the only woman to ever defeat Kayla Harrison, the reigning bantamweight champion. Could this be the game-changer Nunes needs to dethrone her former teammate? Let’s dive in.
The UFC’s first event of 2026 on Paramount+ is already buzzing with anticipation, but one storyline stands above the rest: the return of Amanda Nunes, widely hailed as the Greatest of All Time (GWOAT) in women’s MMA. After a shocking retirement in 2023, Nunes is stepping back into the octagon to challenge Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight title. This isn’t just a fight—it’s a battle of legends, and Nunes is leaving nothing to chance.
In a move that’s sparked both excitement and debate, Nunes has enlisted the help of Larissa Pacheco, the only fighter to have ever beaten Harrison. Pacheco, a Brazilian powerhouse, outpointed Harrison in 2022 to win the PFL lightweight tournament after two previous losses. Now, she’s sharing her insights with Nunes, giving the former two-division champion a unique edge. But here’s the kicker: Pacheco isn’t just training Nunes—she’s predicting a decisive victory for her fellow Brazilian. And this is the part most people miss: Pacheco’s confidence isn’t just hype; it’s rooted in Nunes’s relentless preparation and the strategic advantage Pacheco brings to the table.
Nunes’s return fight at UFC 324 marks her first bout since a dominant win over Irene Aldana in mid-2023. Despite her layoff, Nunes is determined to prove she’s still the queen of the division. Her recent Instagram post featuring Pacheco as her ‘secret weapon’ has already garnered support from fighters like Hector Lombard and Amanda Ribas, who flooded the comments with positive emojis. But not everyone is convinced. With Harrison’s undefeated streak in the UFC and her Olympic judo pedigree, many believe the American will spoil Nunes’s comeback.
Here’s the controversial question: Is Nunes’s reliance on Pacheco’s insights a stroke of genius or a risky gamble? Pacheco herself told MMA Fighting, ‘She’s ready. I’ve felt Kayla’s energy before, and now I’ve felt Amanda’s. That fight is hers, without a doubt.’ But is energy enough to overcome Harrison’s dominance? Or will Nunes’s strategy backfire under the pressure of her highly anticipated return?
As the MMA community debates the outcome, one thing is clear: this fight is more than just a title bout—it’s a clash of titans, a battle of wits, and a test of legacy. Will Nunes reclaim her throne, or will Harrison cement her place as the new WMMA GOAT? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s spark a discussion that’s as intense as the fight itself!
