Amanda Nunes picks Kayla Harrison to win title at UFC 316, lining up comeback ‘super’ fight: ‘I’m going to take belt back’

Dan Hiergesell is an expert voice who serves as MMAmania.com's weekend editor, covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for more than 15 years, getting featured on programs such as Countdown to UFC and SiriusXM Fight Club, among others.

Former UFC double champion Amanda Nunes will be watching closely later tonight (Sat., June 7, 2025) at UFC 316 LIVE on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, when Julianna Pena defends her UFC women’s bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison in the co-main event.

Nunes, who stepped away from UFC two years ago, has made it known that she intends to return to the cage to fight the winner of Saturday’s co-main event. “Lioness” is widely regarded as the greatest female fighter of all time and her return will be greatly welcomed by fans and division foe looking to make a bigger name by fighting her. This weekend will determine who Nunes begins her next training camp for.

“I’m ready,” said Nunes in a recent interview with New York Post Sports. “I’m really back in the gym, I’m really healthy, my weight’s good, so why not? No injury. So let’s see what’s going to happen. I’m ready to step in again.”

Most people would like to see Nunes return to fighting against an imposing figure like Harrison. Not only because Harrison is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and PFL’s former female superstar, but also because fight fans have already seen Nunes vs. Pena twice. Even though they split those two meetings and a rubber match would be in store a fight between “Lioness” and Harrison is simply more appealing (especially for UFC matchmakers).

Nunes, who used to train alongside Harrison, is picking the title challenger to take care of Pena this weekend at UFC 316 and walk out of New Jersey with the 135-pound title.

“I think it’s going to go to decision,” said Nunes. “I feel like three rounds Kayla, two rounds Julianna. I feel like later on, Julianna can stand out. I see Kayla doing what she wants to do, takedowns, use the cage, judo throw on the cage, using her trips to get Julianna down. I also know Julianna [is a] survivor, so Kayla doesn’t have enough to knock Julianna out or finish her on the floor. Actually, Julianna also very good jiu-jitsu defense, she got a lot better. She doesn’t stop. She’s going to make Kayla work a lot. She keeps coming. Kayla, is strong, so it’s going to be very good and interesting to see who is going to win. I think it can go either way, this fight, but I think decision Kayla.”

Luckily for fight fans, Nunes doesn’t intend to return for just one fight (whether it’s against Harrison or Pena). The former UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion plans to stick around for as long as she can during her final UFC run. Check it out below courtesy of a UFC Q&A on Friday:

“I’m ready to stay here,” said Nunes. “I’m going to take the belt back. I’m going to defend as long as possible. As long as my body can handle, I’m going to be here.”

“I love this. I’m so excited. To see my name all over, that’s what I’m here for,” she later added. “To come back, I’m ready for tomorrow. I’m ready to fight. ... I have Kayla by decision. Honestly, I’m a champion. Either one, I’m going to be ready for. Let’s go.”

LIVE! Watch UFC 316 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE-DIP! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., June 7, 2025, with a championship doubleheader headlining UFC 316 from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. In UFC 316’s PPV main event, Bantamweight roost-ruler, Merab Dvalishvili, defends his title against former division champion, Sean O’Malley, in a highly-anticipated five-round rematch. UFC 316’s PPV co-main event features women’s Bantamweight titleholder, Julianna Pena, facing off against two-time Olympic gold medalist, Kayla Harrison, in a thrilling five-round clash. UFC 316 will also showcase a 135-pound showdown between Patchy Mix vs. Mario Bautista, as well as a Welterweight bout pitting Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland and much more! UFC 316’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

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MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 316 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ preliminary card matches at 6:00 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 316 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 316: “Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 316 fight card and PPV lineup click here.