As anticipation reaches a fever pitch for the upcoming UFC 334 pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden, elite fighters across the promotion have begun offering their thoughts on the high-profile matchups gracing the card. Among the most talked-about bouts of the evening is the co-main event, which features a monumental clash for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship. The returning legendary former dual-division champion Amanda Nunes is set to make her dramatic walk back to the Octagon to challenge reigning titleholder Kayla Harrison in what promises to be an explosive showdown between two of the most dominant forces in the history of women’s mixed martial arts.
With the fight now just a couple of days away from unfolding in the world’s most famous arena, the official UFC Instagram account shared a compilation post highlighting predictions from several notable fighters on the roster. Among the prominent names offering their expert analysis was former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Known for his analytical mind and high fight IQ, Volkanovski offered a thoughtful and measured breakdown of the impending championship clash through a direct message shared by the promotion.
Reflecting on the complex dynamics at play in the bantamweight title fight, Volkanovski admitted that the matchup presented a difficult puzzle to solve. "Tough one for me, I have always said Nunes would win that fight… but the time away from the sport has me leaning towards Kayla," Volkanovski wrote, expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming contest. "Really looking forward to seeing this fight."
Volkanovski’s hesitation is well-founded, given the storied legacy of Amanda Nunes and the dominant, relentless rise of Kayla Harrison within the UFC. The co-main event serves as a fascinating study in contrast, pitting the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time against a decorated judo Olympic gold medalist and promotional powerhouse who has systematically torn through the competition since crossing over to the UFC.
Amanda Nunes Returns to the Octagon After More Than 40 Months Away
The narrative surrounding this championship bout is heavily anchored by the remarkable layoff of Amanda Nunes. It was back in June 2023 when "The Lioness" last stepped foot inside the Octagon. Having successfully recaptured the bantamweight title from Julianna Peña at UFC 277 following a brief hiccup in their rivalry, Nunes went on to defend her belt against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in Vancouver, Canada.
In that June 2023 encounter, Nunes put on a masterclass performance, cruising to a comfortable unanimous decision victory over the Mexican contender. In the immediate aftermath of her victory, while still standing inside the Octagon, Nunes made the stunning announcement that she was retiring from the sport of mixed martial arts, leaving behind an unmatched legacy as a simultaneous two-division champion and walking away on her own terms to focus on her family.
For more than forty months, the women’s bantamweight and featherweight divisions operated without their undisputed queen. However, the combat sports landscape shifted dramatically when Nunes announced her intention to return to active competition. In June 2025, exactly two years after her retirement speech, the Brazilian icon revealed that she was eyeing a comeback, specifically targeting the winner of the burgeoning rivalry between Kayla Harrison and Julianna Peña.
That high-stakes eliminator atmosphere was realized at UFC 316 inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7, 2025. In that event, Kayla Harrison stepped into the Octagon against Peña and delivered a statement performance, overwhelming her opponent and securing a submission victory in just the second round. The dominant win cemented Harrison’s status as the new champion and immediately set the stage for a dream matchup against the returning divisional pioneer.
Now, as the calendar brings them together at Madison Square Garden for UFC 334, the division stands at a historic crossroads. While Nunes carries the undeniable weight of her legendary resume and championship experience, the extended hiatus has introduced an element of uncertainty that fighters like Alexander Volkanovski believe could ultimately tilt the balance in favor of the younger, more active challenger in Kayla Harrison.
