\n<\/p>\n
The greatest female fighter in MMA history is back, and she\u2019s not returning to the Octagon for a retirement tour. Amanda Nunes is coming for gold, and UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison is standing directly in her way.<\/p>\n
After walking away from the sport on top, Nunes returns at UFC 334 on Saturday night in New York. The former two-division champion insists she never lost her competitive fire, but needed time away to rediscover her passion. Now, with Harrison holding the bantamweight crown, Nunes has found something she hasn\u2019t had in years, a new challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly like, after two years, I was done. Ready to be home. After that I started (thinking) I\u2019m going to go back. I cannot stay without being a fighter life,\u201d Nunes told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Kayla signed with UFC and I saw the division putting some new girls and (it) kind of excited me. I cleaned both divisions (135 and 145) and I kind of (didn\u2019t) know what to do anymore. I saw those girls sign and I got excited and it was when I can show I really want to do this again. And now I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nunes and Harrison were originally scheduled to fight in January before Harrison\u2019s neck injury forced a postponement. While initially frustrated by the delay, Nunes welcomed the extra preparation time and the opportunity to fight in New York.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiving me more time was better, and (to) be here in New York, amazing. I want to do fights in all the places in America because every time Vegas, Vegas, Vegas, I kind of like I want to go somewhere else. When I find out it was supposed to be here I was so happy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come to New York when I was 20-years-old to chase this dream and now I\u2019m going to fight in New York. Awesome, this is amazing. When I find out she was injured and everything I kind of like alright. I was a little upset because I have plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nunes walked away from MMA at the top of her game, but retirement wasn\u2019t about losing her competitive fire. The former two-division champion explained how stepping away allowed her to recharge mentally, physically, and emotionally before returning to the cage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis time off was amazing for me. It\u2019s not that I (lost) my belt, and I was like out of shape, I was losing fights, I was battling with my career. I left (at) the top. I\u2019m not here today as a challenger. I\u2019m here today as a double champion still. The break was very important for me. It\u2019s like your job, sometimes you need a break, right? To like reset your life, reset everything and come back stronger,\u201d said Nunes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed a break, I did the break at the right time, I put my belts on the floor and let the division (go) on too. In that moment I needed it for my mind, for my body, for my soul, I needed a reset. I love to do this. I don\u2019t want to come here and then do this just to do (it).\u201d<\/p>\n
Former teammates Nunes and Harrison are preparing for battle, but is there actually bad blood between them? Despite suggestions from Harrison\u2019s coach, Dan Lambert, that tensions run deeper than competition, Nunes made it clear there\u2019s no hatred.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo hate here. It\u2019s not about hate. Hate nobody. It\u2019s about the challenge that\u2019s Kayla\u2019s bringing, and how great this is going to be for women\u2019s MMA. The only thing I know (I) would never have done (this) training the same mat, with the same coach and the same gym,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what is the problem was in the whole situation, but hate? I don\u2019t hate Kayla. Why? Why would I hate Kayla? If this is a very good challenge for me, for her too, for women\u2019s MMA to grow. Why\u2019s everything about hate? Why is not this is a fight. We want to prove who is the best girl in the cage that night. So it\u2019s not hate, at all.\u201d<\/p>\n