Amanda Nunes: Kayla Harrison Still Makes Same Mistakes From Past Sparring

Former two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes believes she holds a clear advantage over reigning bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison ahead of their upcoming co-main event clash at UFC 334 on Nov. 14. The two fighters previously shared the mats as training partners at American Top Team when Nunes held the 135-pound and 145-pound titles and Harrison was transitioning from two-time Olympic judo gold medalist to mixed martial arts contender.

Speaking on the Deep Waters podcast, Nunes reflected on their shared training history and expressed confidence that Harrison's core habits have remained largely unchanged despite her evolution in the sport. "I spar Kayla before," Nunes said. "Honestly, when she first arrived in the gym a long time ago, I know she evolved a lot, but she still does the same mistakes since we sparred, you know? I studied her a lot."

Nunes, who retired in 2023 before Harrison eventually captured the vacant bantamweight belt two years later, also discussed the friction that emerged between them at American Top Team. The Brazilian star stated that she felt Harrison was not an open training partner with female teammates and took issue with how Harrison called her out publicly while they were still sharing the same gym mats.

"When she came to the gym, I didn't feel like she was an open training partner," Nunes said, questioning the gym etiquette. "Then when she started calling me out, every time she had opportunity, she grabbed the microphone and she always talk about me. We share the same mat... I'm the champion in that gym, I brought the belt to that gym." Now, the two former teammates will finally settle their rivalry inside the Octagon.