Journalist defends Amanda Nunes and lashes out at UFC after announcement of fight against Kayla Harrison.

Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes face off at UFC. (Photo: Instagram/UFCEspanol)

Among the various announcements issued by the UFC last Thursday (27) about the first events of 2026, the return of Amanda Nunes to the octagon against Kayla Harrison caught the attention of fans. However, not everyone seems to have been happy with the news. For Ariel Helwani, a reference in martial journalism, strongly criticized the less prominent position of the duel.

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The fight between the former training partners will be the co-main event of UFC 324, while the final fight will be Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg). According to Helwani, the choice is disrespectful to both fighters.

“I can’t believe this fight (Gaethje vs. Pimblett) is headlining the card. We have Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison , which many would argue is the most important fight in the history of women’s MMA, and we have an interim title fight as the main event, and this fight doesn’t even feature the number one contender ( Arman Tsarukyan ). If I were Amanda or Kayla, I would be happy with the pay, but deep down I would feel disrespected. Disrespected by them thinking so little of me,” the journalist stated in a video published on his YouTube channel.

Ariel Helwani blasts Gaethje vs Paddy interim booking and questions Arman's exclusion ️

"An interim title fight that does not feature a number one contender because the number one contender at 155 is a guy named Arman Tsarukyan . This is as prestigious as the BMF title. He… pic.twitter.com/NlyZlKPma1

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 28, 2025

Amanda Nunes is the greatest female MMA fighter of all time.

Amanda proudly displays her UFC belts. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

The only woman to win belts in two weight classes in the UFC, Amanda Nunes has victories against Cris Cyborg , Valentina Shevchenko , and Ronda Rousey . After defeating Irene Aldana in June 2023, the Brazilian decided to hang up her gloves and begin a new phase in her life. However, her retirement period served as a consecration for Kayla Harrison , who captured the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2 kg) by submitting Julianna Peña . The two had trained together for some time at American Top Team, and Nunes chose to leave the gym after realizing the inevitable collision course between them.

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