UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit features a historic women's bantamweight title co-main event between reigning champion Kayla Harrison and returning legend Amanda Nunes. Check out our UFC 334 odds series for our Harrison-Nunes prediction and pick.
Kayla Harrison (19-1) enters her first title defense after capturing the UFC women's bantamweight belt with a dominant second-round kimura submission over Julianna Pena. The two-time Olympic gold medalist also defeated Ketlen Vieira and Holly Holm in her Octagon run as she comes into her fight this weekend against Amanda Nunes.
Amanda Nunes (23-5) returns from a three-year retirement that followed her lopsided unanimous decision title defense over Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in June 2023. Prior to that win, the former two-division champion dominated Julianna Pena across five rounds as she comes into her fight this weekend against Kayla Harrison.
UFC 334 Odds, courtesy of BetOnline
UFC 334 Odds: Kayla Harrison-Amanda Nunes Odds
Kayla Harrison: -166
Amanda Nunes: +140
Over 3.5 rounds: -105
Under 3.5 rounds: -125
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Kayla Harrison Will Win
Kayla Harrison is the most physically dominant grappler to ever compete in the UFC women's bantamweight division. Her two Olympic judo gold medals have translated seamlessly into the Octagon, where she has mauled Holly Holm, Ketlen Vieira and Julianna Pena on her way to the undisputed title.
Activity and momentum are heavily on Harrison's side, whereas Amanda Nunes is stepping back into the cage at 38 years old after more than three years of retirement. Ring rust is a massive factor in five-round championship fights, and Harrison will not give the former champion any time to find her rhythm.
Once Harrison secures a body lock or forces a clinch against the cage, her hip throws and trips are nearly impossible to stop. On the mat, she suffocates opponents with crushing top pressure, slicing through guards with brutal elbows and heavy ground-and-pound until a submission neck or arm opens up.
Even though Nunes possesses solid takedown defense, she has never faced a physical powerhouse with Harrison's strength and relentless chain-grappling pace at 135 pounds. Harrison will weather the early striking exchanges, drag Nunes to the canvas repeatedly and force a mid-fight tap.
Why Amanda Nunes Will Win
Amanda Nunes is widely recognized as the greatest female fighter in MMA history for a reason, and she possesses the exact skillset required to punish Kayla Harrison's forward entries. Standing with a three-inch reach advantage and unmatched one-punch knockout power, Nunes can end this fight the moment Harrison steps into pocket range.
Harrison's striking remains a means to an end, as she often plods forward behind a southpaw jab just to crash into the clinch. Against a sniper like Nunes, who has starched elite strikers and grapplers alike, walking straight in on a predictable line is a recipe for disaster.
Furthermore, Nunes holds an 82% career takedown defense rate and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu alongside a brown belt in judo. She previously trained alongside Harrison at American Top Team, meaning she knows the champion's timing, setups and grappling tendencies better than anyone on the planet.
Article Continues BelowIf Nunes uses her low kicks to chew up Harrison's lead leg and frames off the initial clinch attempts, Harrison will begin to fade under heavy fire. Expect Nunes to stuff the early takedowns, punish Harrison with thunderous right hands and reclaim her throne by knockout.
Final Harrison-Nunes Prediction & Pick
Kayla Harrison is the pick to retain her title because her relentless grappling pressure, physical prime and recent Octagon activity outweigh Amanda Nunes' legendary resume after a three-year layoff. Returning at 38 years old against an unstoppable judo powerhouse is the toughest comeback assignment imaginable.
Nunes will always be live for an early knockout with her nuclear right hand and sharp calf kicks. However, three years away from live competition dulls timing and distance reaction by fractions of a second, which is all Harrison needs to duck under a punch and lock her hands.
Once Harrison secures the clinch along the fence, her sheer physical strength and judo trips will put Nunes on her back. While Nunes is a black belt on the mat, defending against Harrison's crushing top control and relentless ground-and-pound will rapidly drain the challenger's gas tank.
Harrison proved against Julianna Pena that she can sustain her suffocating pace and hunt finishes against tough veterans. Look for the reigning champion to survive a tense opening two minutes on the feet, ragdoll Nunes to the canvas and secure a third-round submission or ground-and-pound stoppage.
Final Kayla Harrison-Amanda Nunes Prediction & Pick: Kayla Harrison (-166), UNDER 3.5 rounds (-125)