Nunes teases UFC return: 'I'm going to get my belt back'

Fresh off the announcement that she'll be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, Amanda Nunes suggested that her retirement from mixed martial arts may soon come to an end with a specific fight in mind.

The former two-division champion said she wants to face the winner of Julianna Pena versus Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight championship. Harrison and Pena are slated to face off at UFC 316 on June 7.

"I'm ready, I'm healthy. Whatever happens in the future, Kayla, Julianna, I'm ready to go," Pena told reporters Saturday at UFC 314, according to Sportsnet's Aaron Bronsteter.

When asked if she'll face the winner of Harrison and Pena, Nunes responded, "I will."

She added, "Kayla, Julianna, who holds the belt, that is my belt. I'm going to get my belt back."

Nunes, 36, retired in 2023 after defeating Irene Aldana at UFC 289. "The Lioness" has fought Pena twice, losing to her in shocking fashion in 2021 before winning her belt back in a rematch the following year.

Meanwhile, Nunes has yet to face Harrison, who joined the UFC in early 2024 and is the No. 2-ranked contender in the bantamweight division.

Nunes called the belt Pena and Harrison are fighting for "fake" while referencing the recent press conference promoting their upcoming bout.

"You guys saw the belt yesterday in the press conference. That was, like, just fake for them. The real belt is at my house," Nunes said. "This is my belt. ... Who wins is going to take the fake belt. This is my belt. UFC is my house. That is my cage. I'm the lioness. I am the lioness. I'm back and ready to go."