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