Kayla Harrison doesn’t see much upside with Amanda Nunes training with Larissa Pacheco for UFC 324, despite the latter being the only one to beat her in MMA.
Harrison fought Pacheco three times under the PFL banner between May 2019 and November 2022. She won the first two by decision, then dropped the third meeting on the scorecards.
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It’s 13 rounds of experience and insight to lend to Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC), who will challenge Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) for the women’s bantamweight title in the Jan. 24 co-headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+). However, given the difference in styles, Harrison doesn’t see it being a beneficial connection in terms of swaying the result of the fight.
“”It didn’t really make sense to me,” Harrison told MMA Junkie. “I’m a southpaw grappler and Larissa is an orthodox striker. But the more the merrier. That’s great. I love it when women help build each other up, so I think it’s awesome.”
Nunes, 37, hasn’t competed since June 2023, when she defeated Irene Aldana at UFC 289 and retired as a two-division champion at 135 pounds and 145 pounds. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Harrison has taken over since “The Lioness” departed, putting together an undefeated octagon run that saw her claim the belt from Julianna Peña in June.
Harrison, 35, and Nunes, 37, share a history as teammates at American Top Team in Florida. Nunes left the gym prior to her retirement, and now with a new team around her that includes Pacheco, the pair will finally soon meet.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 324: Kayla Harrison reacts to Amanda Nunes training with ex-foe
