Kayla Harrison retained her Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title on Saturday night, submitting Amanda Nunes, one of the most decorated fighters in mixed martial arts history, in the fourth round of the UFC 334 main event at New York's Madison Square Garden.
The 36-year-old American, a two-time Olympic judo champion, leaned on her elite grappling to turn back Nunes's bid to reclaim the belt. The Brazilian, widely regarded as arguably the greatest female fighter of all time, had ruled at both bantamweight and featherweight before stepping away from the sport in June 2023, and she was unable to overcome the effects of her long layoff.
Nunes started brightly, striking sharply and fending off several early takedown attempts. Harrison gradually imposed herself, however, and Nunes spent long stretches of the latter part of the opening two rounds stuck on the bottom in a scarf-hold position she could not escape.
Growing in confidence, Harrison showcased the full breadth of her judo arsenal, landing well-timed trips and throws while maintaining smothering control on the ground. In the fourth round she pursued Nunes to the mat, took her back and quickly locked in a rear-naked choke that forced the 38-year-old to tap.
"I think I'm still in shock," said Harrison, who underwent surgery for herniated disks in her neck in January. "It feels surreal. Sometimes I can't believe my life. I'm just really grateful, I'm humbled, it's an honour and a privilege to stand before you," she added, directing her words to her opponent.
Harrison, whose record now stands at 20 wins and one defeat, said she was unsure what comes next, but paused to salute the crowd. "New York City, I love you," she shouted after the bout. Nunes, now with 23 wins and six defeats, removed her gloves inside the cage but declined a post-fight interview.
In the co-main event, France's Ciryl Gane retained his heavyweight title with a unanimous decision over American Josh Hokit after a punishing five-round contest fought at a relentless pace. It was Gane's first successful title defense, with all three judges scoring it 48-47.
Gane, who improved to 15 wins and two defeats, recovered quickly from an early takedown in the first round and answered Hokit's forward pressure with crisp jabs, uppercuts and an overhand right, though Hokit closed the round with a late slam. Hokit, now 10-1, rallied in the second with heavy right hands and physical clinch work, and carried that momentum into the third with a scramble takedown, elbows and foot stamps before flashing his opponent the middle finger at the bell.
As Hokit's punches lost steam in the fourth, Gane seized control with body kicks, knees to the midsection and short uppercuts in the clinch. In the fifth, with the fight still in the balance, Gane stuffed the challenger's takedown attempts, opened a cut above Hokit's left eye and dominated the striking exchanges to the final horn.
"It was an amazing fight," Gane said afterward. Hokit, typically outspoken, struck a gracious tone despite the loss, saying he would savor the moment. "Resilience builds character," he said.
