Nunes left the UFC in 2023 as the only woman to hold UFC titles in two weight classes simultaneously and as the only fighter, male or female, to successfully defend both belts.
During Nunes’ remarkable run, she has beaten some of the biggest names in MMA history, such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg and Valentina Shevchenko, but it was the prospect of fighting Harrison that brought her out of retirement.
The two men are friends and former teammates at American Top Team Gym, which Nunes left in 2022.
Nunes started well and stung Harrison with a number of consecutive rights, but found herself in trouble late in the round with the American in dominant position on the ground.
Although he appeared to have an advantage on the feet, Nunes continued to try to fight, but it was a tactic that played into Harrison’s hands.
Harrison took the fight to the ground with a powerful hip toss, before later clipping Nunes with a big elbow and right hand to the ground.
The decisive moment came in the fourth round when Harrison landed a kick before knocking Nunes off balance and locking in the fight-ending submission.
After the fight, Harrison said she was considering retirement after admitting difficulties in cutting her weight to 135lb (9st 9lb).
“I have a lot of decisions to make when I get home. Every time I gain weight, I say never again,” she said.
“I definitely had some injuries after that fight, I’m going to have to heal.”
The victory was Harrison’s 20th in 21 fights, cementing her status as one of the best combat sports athletes of all time.
Nunes, whose legacy is already cemented, suffered the sixth defeat of his 29-fight career.
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