Amanda Nunes, known as “The Lioness,” is making a comeback to MMA.
UFC 314 was packed with exciting moments, including Alexander Volkanovski`s championship defense and impressive performances by Patricio Pitbull and Jean Silva. Among these highlights, the announcement of Amanda Nunes returning to competition after her 2023 retirement was also made.
It`s perhaps not surprising that Nunes, the former bantamweight and featherweight champion, has decided to step back into the octagon. Her initial retirement appeared to stem more from a lack of new challenges than an inability to compete at the highest level. At 36 years old, Nunes has achieved considerable success in MMA and managed a busy personal life as a mother of two. Her return seems to be about finding the right time.
The timing is now perfect, especially with Julianna Peña set to defend her bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 on June 7th. Regardless of who wins that fight, Nunes has ample motivation. Peña famously upset Nunes at UFC 269, and despite a dominant loss in their rematch, Peña has consistently called for a trilogy fight with Nunes.
As for Kayla Harrison, the two-time PFL champion and former training partner of Nunes, she has long been considered a highly interesting matchup for Nunes, who was recently announced as a Hall of Fame inductee. Should Harrison defeat Peña, the calls for a Nunes versus Harrison fight will become overwhelming.
In other news, Tyron Woodley`s recent revival of his 2018 rap song has triggered a wave of humorous, though admittedly quite funny, reactions.
Marcus Blakely 
Wesley Dunham