Amanda Nunes spent a significant portion of her career training at American Top Team in Florida. However, she eventually chose to part ways with the gym to establish her own private studio, concentrating solely on her own preparation and development.
This change proved successful, as Nunes rebounded from a loss to dominate Julianna Peña over five rounds and reclaim the UFC bantamweight title. She concluded her initial career phase with a decisive victory over Irene Aldana before retiring. With Nunes now preparing to return to competition, potentially facing Harrison, she acknowledges that the potential conflict between them directly led to her initial decision to leave American Top Team.
During the UFC 316 post-fight show, Nunes explicitly stated, “Yes, I did leave because of Kayla Harrison. Because when she got there, she started training with my coach, Mike Brown, Anderson [Franca], everybody, and I knew this fight would happen one day.”
She added that staying at ATT would have created a significant issue. “If I was there now, that would be a problem. A huge problem for [American Top Team owner] Dan [Lambert]. She would have to move. Both training at the same gym, never would have happened,” Nunes explained.
Similar conflicts have occurred at American Top Team in the past, typically resulting in one of the involved fighters departing the gym. Examples include the situations between Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler, and the highly volatile dynamic between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, which also led to splits.
Nunes stated that from the moment Harrison began mentioning her as a potential opponent, she felt it was unavoidable that they would eventually have to settle their differences in a fight, setting aside their team affiliation. That being said, while they trained under the same roof for several years, Nunes disputes the notion that she was particularly close with Harrison or that they frequently served as primary training partners for each other.
“Honestly, we felt it at the gym,” Nunes remarked. “As soon as she got the microphone, she used to talk about me. From that moment, we already started [feeling different], we always respected each other in the gym but we knew. The energy, we were never able to connect. We’re training here and there, we never was training partners in the gym. Let’s be honest. We were never training partners.”
She continued, “Here and there we were training, also I was completely out of shape. Every time I’d come back to the gym, somehow we’re training and I’m like damn, I’m going to train with Kayla when I’m completely out of shape? That’s not fair. Now we’re going to see each other when I’m at full time in camp, 100 percent strong ‘The Lioness’ and she’s going to know exactly who I am inside the cage.”
Having declared her return to the sport and with Harrison now a champion after defeating Julianna Peña at UFC 316, Nunes expresses excitement for the impending challenge.
Nunes still needs to re-enter the UFC’s anti-doping program, which requires six months of testing for retired fighters. However, she anticipates the showdown against Harrison could happen before the end of 2025.
“Honestly, I’m going to really get in camp full time,” Nunes stated, confirming she`s been training periodically. “November/December, I might be ready to go.”
Regarding her future plans, Nunes emphasized that her return isn`t solely for the fight against Harrison; she intends to remain in the sport afterward.
Instead, Nunes aims to reclaim her championship belt and then face other top contenders at 135 pounds. She feels refreshed, renewed, and fully prepared to regain the dominance she previously held.
“Look, my body’s good, I don’t have any injuries,” Nunes declared. “My brain is amazing. My soul is ready for everything. I’m going to get the belt, defend as long as possible. I’m ready to do it all over again. You guys never see that before. I’m going to be the first one. I’m going to do it all over again. I’m going to become a new champion and then defend the belt and we’re going to keep going. Honestly, I’m pumped for this.”
