Amanda Nunes: Initial co-main event spot for UFC comeback was no issue
Amanda Nunes felt no disrespect from the UFC by having her historic title fight with Kayla Harrison be placed in a co-main event slot.
MIAMI – There's no doubt Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes is one of the biggest fights in women's MMA history. Yet, despite the weight of the matchup, the monumental UFC championship fight didn't receive the importance many expected from the promotion.
Although still waiting on the rebooking, Harrison vs. Nunes was originally scheduled as the co-main event of UFC 324 – right underneath an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett . The UFC women's bantamweight title bout ended up not coming to fruition in January when Harrison suffered a neck injury that required surgery.
Even though the UFC CEO Dana White assured fans the matchup was going to happen once Harrison is fit, many were left with a bad taste, given arguably the biggest fights in women's MMA history was placed underneath an interim title fight many thought shouldn't be happening in the first place. Amid the criticism, Nunes had no issue with how her highly anticipated return was handled. "If UFC put it in the main event, it would be great," Nunes told MMA Junkie.
"If it's the co-main event, if it's the first fight of the night, I want my belt back. It don't bother me at all. I want to just step in the cage for the fight.