Kayla Harrison Submits Amanda Nunes in Fourth Round to Retain UFC Title

Kayla Harrison retained her UFC bantamweight championship at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, defeating Amanda Nunes by submission in the fourth round. The result spoiled the comeback of Nunes, who ended a three-year retirement for the fight and is widely regarded as the greatest female fighter in MMA history.

The bout was the co-main event of UFC 334 and Harrison's first title defence. Harrison's record now stands at 20 wins and 1 loss. Nunes's record is 23 wins and 6 losses.

The contest had been delayed because Harrison underwent spinal fusion surgery in January to address a neck injury. It was her first fight since June 2025.

Nunes repeatedly tried to wrestle with Harrison, the two-time Olympic judo champion, and ended the first two rounds flat on her back. Harrison landed a series of short punches and elbows to Nunes's head.

Harrison wasted no time in the fourth round. She tripped Nunes to the canvas, followed her down and applied the rear-naked choke that forced the Brazilian to submit.

On the same night, Stephen Thompson fought his retirement bout in a welterweight contest. The 43-year-old Thompson, who twice challenged for the welterweight championship, beat Charles Radtke by stoppage with a spinning wheel kick to the head in the third round.

The UFC played a video tribute to Thompson afterwards. Thompson said, 'I told myself I wasn't going to cry.' He added, 'We wouldn't have this sport if it wasn't for my fans.'

Thompson then laid his gloves on the canvas, the traditional symbolic farewell of a retiring MMA fighter.

In the main event, Ciryl Gane was set to defend his UFC heavyweight championship against Josh Hokit.