Amanda Nunes spent the most important a part of her profession coaching beneath the coaches at American High Crew in Florida however she in the end determined to separate with the health club and as an alternative opted to open her personal personal studio the place the main target would solely be on her and her preparation.
The transfer paid off with Nunes bouncing again from a loss after which pummeling Julianna Pena for 5 rounds to reclaim the UFC girls’s bantamweight title and he or she continued her reign with a lopsided win over Irene Aldana in her remaining battle earlier than retirement. However now that Nunes is on the point of resume her profession with a showdown towards Harrison ready within the wins, she admits that the potential battle between them instantly led to her resolution to go away American High Crew within the first place.
“Sure, I did [leave because of Kayla Harrison],” Nunes mentioned throughout the UFC 316 post-fight present. “As a result of when she obtained there, she began coaching with my coach, Mike Brown, Anderson [Franca], everyone, and I knew this battle would occur sooner or later.
“If I used to be there now, that might be an issue. An enormous downside for [American Top Team owner] Dan [Lambert]. She must transfer. Each coaching on the similar health club, by no means would have occurred.”
After all these sorts of conflicts have occurred previously at American High Crew and the outcome has virtually universally ended with one fighter leaving the health club. That’s what unfolded when Tyron Woodley battled Robbie Lawler and the volatility between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal resulted in the identical sort of break up.
Nunes says from the day Harrison began mentioning her identify as a possible opponent, she felt it was inevitable that they’d must set the crew apart to settle their variations.
That mentioned, Nunes additionally acknowledged that whereas they did spend a number of years beneath the identical roof, Nunes really shot down the concept that she was very shut with Harrison a lot lower than they had been major coaching companions for one another.
“Actually, we felt it on the health club,” Nunes mentioned. “As quickly as she obtained the microphone, she used to speak about me. From that second, we already began [feeling different], we at all times revered one another within the health club however we knew. The power, we had been by no means in a position to join. We’re coaching right here and there, we by no means was coaching companions within the health club. Let’s be sincere. We had been by no means coaching companions.
“Right here and there we had been coaching, additionally I used to be fully off form. Each time I’d come again to the health club, by some means we’re coaching and I’m like rattling, I’m going to coach with Kayla once I’m fully off form? That’s not truthful. Now we’re going to see one another once I’m at full time in camp, one hundred pc robust ‘The Lioness’ and he or she’s going to know precisely who I’m contained in the cage.”
Now that she’s declared her comeback and Harrison is champion after mauling Julianna Pena at UFC 316, Nunes may be very excited for the problem that awaits her.
Nunes nonetheless has to get again into the UFC’s anti-doping program, which requires six months of drug testing earlier than permitting a retired fighter to compete once more however she’s already anticipating the showdown towards Harrison to occur earlier than the tip of 2025.
“Actually, I’m going to actually get in camp full time, I used to be coaching right here in there however at all times in form,” Nunes mentioned. “Actually, November/December, I could be able to go.”
So far as the long run goes, Nunes guarantees that she’s not simply coming again to face Harrison after which depart the game once more.
As a substitute, Nunes needs to win again her belt after which take out the following finest fighters on this planet at 135 kilos as a result of she’s refreshed, renewed and able to reclaim every part that beforehand belonged to her.
“Look, my physique’s good, I don’t have an accidents,” Nunes mentioned. “My mind is wonderful. My soul is prepared for every part. I’m going get the belt, defend so long as doable. I’m able to do it yet again. You guys by no means see that earlier than. I’m going to be the primary one. I’m going to do it yet again. I’m going to turn out to be a brand new champion after which defend the belt and we’re going to maintain going. Actually, I’m pumped for this.”
