Harrison chokes out Nunes in fourth round to defend UFC bantamweight title at UFC 334

Kayla Harrison defended her UFC bantamweight title by submitting Amanda Nunes with a rear-naked choke at 1:29 of the fourth round in the co-main event of UFC 334 in New York City.

Harrison dominated the grappling exchanges throughout the contest, but it was a fourth-round takedown that proved decisive. After dragging Nunes to the canvas, Harrison immediately climbed onto her back and locked in the rear-naked choke. Nunes had no escape and was forced to tap, handing the former two-division champion one of the most significant losses of her career.

“I think I’m still in shock,” Harrison said after the fight. “It feels surreal. Sometimes I can’t believe my life. I’m just really grateful. I’m humble. It’s an honor and a privilege to stand before you. I’ve got a lot of decisions to make when I get home. I just want to say again thank you New York City, thank you to the UFC for allowing me to make my dreams come true.”

The early rounds belonged to Nunes on the feet. The Brazilian worked effectively from distance, landing clean punches and keeping Harrison from establishing her preferred grappling game. Nunes caught Harrison with a hard shot that momentarily put the champion on the back foot, and her striking confidence visibly grew as the fight progressed.

Harrison eventually forced her way into the clinch and secured her first takedown, moving into side control and pinning Nunes on the ground. She worked from the crucifix position, landing punches and elbows, though Nunes survived to the end of the round.

The third round saw Nunes respond, shutting down a Harrison takedown attempt before securing a takedown of her own and briefly taking the back in search of a rear-naked choke. Harrison managed to turn into her opponent and regain top position, landing heavy punches and elbows — one of which opened a cut above Nunes’ right eye — before the horn sounded.

The fourth round began with Nunes making a critical error that gifted Harrison a takedown. Harrison wasted no time climbing to the back and sinking the choke, and the tap came almost immediately.

The victory represents the defining win of Harrison’s UFC career and raises serious questions about where she now stands in the all-time rankings of women’s mixed martial arts.