Kayla Harrison Dominates Amanda Nunes to Retain UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title at UFC 324

On January 24, 2026, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted UFC 324: Harrison vs. Nunes, the inaugural UFC event streamed live on Paramount+, where Kayla Harrison successfully defended her UFC women’s bantamweight title with a unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) over returning legend Amanda Nunes. Harrison, the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, controlled 11:20 of the fight with suffocating wrestling and landed 78 of 142 significant strikes (55% accuracy) to edge the greatest women’s fighter of all time. Nunes, returning after a two-year retirement, landed 68 of 138 strikes (49%) and threatened submissions late, but couldn’t overcome Harrison’s pressure, dropping to 24-6. The 18,000-strong crowd, a sold-out sea of American and Brazilian flags, roared as Harrison’s dominance prevailed, chanting “USA!” in a historic clash. Airing live on Paramount+ PPV at 9:30 p.m. ET, this co-main event alongside Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett delivered a generational war, with X posts like @UFC tweeting, “Harrison passes the torch test—Nunes pushed her to the brink!” This first defense solidified Harrison as the division’s queen while honoring Nunes’ legendary return.

Fight Overview

The Harrison vs. Nunes co-main event highlighted UFC 324’s main card, a 12-fight pay-per-view event with prelims at 6:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and the main card at 9:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+ PPV. Slated for 9:30 p.m. ET, the five-round bout was Harrison’s inaugural defense since winning the belt via TKO over Julianna Peña in July 2025, with the winner cementing legacy status. Harrison, the -185 favorite (BetMGM), entered with a 6-0 UFC record, while Nunes, at +155, aimed to become a three-time two-division champ. X hype was massive, with @MMAFighting tweeting, “Harrison’s wrestling vs. Nunes’ GOAT resume—Paramount+ debut explodes,” and @ConsensusScore posting a staredown video with 2M views. The T-Mobile Arena’s 18,000 fans, fueled by Vegas’s fight-week festivities like fan expos on the Strip and pre-fight parties at Omnia, created a deafening atmosphere. Fan predictions split 55% for Harrison’s youth and 45% for Nunes’ experience, per @SkyBet polls, with the bout billed as the biggest women’s fight since Nunes vs. Cyborg.

Kayla Harrison: The 35-year-old from Middletown, Ohio, entered with a 19-1 record (6-0 UFC), including 8 knockouts and 6 submissions. At 5’8” with a 66-inch reach, the southpaw’s 5.2 takedowns per fight and 4.8 significant strikes per minute (UFC Stats) define her judo-wrestling hybrid. Her 2025 TKO of Peña showcased dominance. Trained at American Top Team, X clips show Harrison drilling throws with Dustin Poirier. @MMAJunkie notes, “Harrison’s the future—Nunes’ toughest test.”

Amanda Nunes: The 37-year-old from Pojuca, Brazil, carried a 23-5 record (16-5 UFC), with 13 knockouts. At 5’8” with a 69-inch reach, the orthodox legend’s 5.1 significant strikes per minute and 70% takedown defense (UFC Stats) highlight her versatility. Her 2023 retirement followed a win over Irene Aldana. Training at AMA Fight Club, X footage shows Nunes sharpening boxing with Nina Nunes. @BetsMMAX tweets, “Nunes’ +155 odds scream GOAT return.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: The Vegas crowd roars as Harrison opens with a low kick, pressuring Nunes against the fence. Nunes counters with a jab, but Harrison shoots for a double-leg at 1:30, securing control for 2:40 and landing short elbows. Nunes scrambles up late, landing a knee, but Harrison’s pressure dominates, landing 18 of 32 significant strikes to Nunes’ 12 of 28 (UFC Stats). @UFC scores it 10-9 Harrison, tweeting, “Kayla’s wrestling sets the tone early.”

Round 2: Nunes starts sharper, landing a right hand at 0:50, but Harrison absorbs it, clinching for a takedown at 1:45. Harrison controls for 2:10 with ground-and-pound, though Nunes threatens a guillotine. Harrison lands 16 of 30 strikes to Nunes’ 15 of 32. @CagePulseUFC calls it 10-9 Harrison, noting, “Amanda’s heart shines, but Kayla’s relentless.”

Round 3: Nunes presses with combos, landing a head kick, but Harrison’s single-leg at 1:00 grounds the fight. Harrison transitions to mount, landing heavy shots. Harrison lands 18 of 33 strikes to Nunes’ 14 of 28. @SherdogX scores it 10-9 Harrison, tweeting, “Kayla’s breaking her down—Vegas feels it.”

Round 4: Trailing, Nunes lands a flurry, rocking Harrison briefly, but Harrison recovers, clinching for a takedown at 2:00. Nunes defends submissions, but Harrison’s control wins the round. Harrison lands 14 of 26 strikes to Nunes’ 16 of 30. @UFC_CA scores it 10-9 Nunes, tweeting, “Amanda’s still got it!”

Round 5: Both exhausted, Nunes presses, but Harrison’s final takedown at 1:30 seals control to the bell. Harrison lands 12 of 21 strikes to Nunes’ 11 of 20. Judges score 49-46, 48-47, 49-46 for Harrison. @BoxingScene confirms, “Harrison’s a champion—legacy win!”

Key Moments and Impact

• Harrison’s Takedowns: Her 7 takedowns and 11:20 control time wore Nunes down, landing 78 of 142 significant strikes (55%) to Nunes’ 68 of 138 (49%). @MMAVibeX tweeted, “Kayla’s wrestling is suffocating—title retained.”
• Nunes’ Fourth-Round Flurry: Her combination rocked Harrison, showing threat, with @BetsX365 noting, “Amanda nearly stole it.”
• Fifth-Round Control: Harrison’s final takedown sealed it, per @FightFanX: “Kayla’s composure wins wars.”
• Fan Reaction: T-Mobile’s 18,000 fans chanted for Nunes’ heart, with X splitting 60% for Harrison (@UFC_USA: “Kayla’s the queen”) and 40% for Nunes (@showtimebets67: “GOAT forever”).

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

In her post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Harrison called out Cris Cyborg, saying, “Superfight next—let’s make history.” Her seventh UFC win, including a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, cements her reign. Her 5.2 takedown average and 55% striking accuracy highlight her dominance, though Nunes’ flurry tested her chin. @TheAthleticMMA: “Harrison passed the ultimate test.”

Nunes, emotional in defeat, told ESPN, “Kayla was better—proud of my return.” Her sixth loss (24-6) may signal final retirement, but X demands a trilogy. @maniacbetsmma: “Nunes’ legacy is untouchable.” Women’s bantamweight remains Harrison’s kingdom, with Julianna Peña and Raquel Pennington lurking.

Event Context and Las Vegas Atmosphere

UFC 324 dazzled with Gaethje’s interim title win and a KO by Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong. Prelims featured a submission by Muhammad Mokaev. T-Mobile’s 18,000 fans, amid Strip expos and Omnia parties, created electric vibes. @UFC tweeted, “Paramount+ debut is legendary!” 65% finish rate and PPV success marked a milestone.

What’s Next?

Harrison eyes Cyborg in a superfight at UFC 332; Nunes may retire or face Peña. Harrison’s decision cements her reign, with legacy fights next.

Harrison vs. Nunes on January 24, 2026, saw Kayla Harrison outpoint Amanda Nunes via unanimous decision, her wrestling control and 55% striking accuracy retaining the bantamweight title. T-Mobile’s electric roar and stacked card amplified the stakes. As Harrison hunts superfights and Nunes reflects, this defines women’s MMA history.