Is it a slight, or just smart business? Amanda Nunes' coach, Din Thomas, isn't losing any sleep over his fighter's return bout against Kayla Harrison being the co-main event at UFC 324. Let's break down why.
Nunes, a UFC Hall of Famer with a record of 23-5 in MMA and 16-2 in the UFC, is stepping back into the octagon to challenge bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, who boasts a record of 19-1 in MMA and 3-0 in the UFC. Their highly anticipated clash is set for January 24th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, the main event will feature an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
Thomas's perspective? He views it as a non-issue. He explained that it's almost a coin toss between the two fights, and he wouldn't have been surprised either way. He did, however, express some surprise that an interim title fight was chosen to headline over an undisputed title fight. But, he acknowledges that Nunes has been away from the sport for a while. It's still a fantastic card with two title fights, so he's not worried about Nunes fighting in the co-main event.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Despite Harrison's impressive background as an Olympic gold medalist in judo, Thomas, who plays a key role in Nunes' training camp for her first fight since June 2023, isn't seeing this as a simple striker versus grappler match. He believes Nunes will be ready for anything.
Thomas even suggests that Harrison doesn't necessarily have a ground advantage. He believes that Harrison's best chance of winning is on the ground, but the gap in striking is significantly larger than any potential gap on the ground. They are preparing to counter Harrison's strengths to prevent her from implementing her game plan.
And this is the part most people miss...
Thomas's confidence in Nunes' versatility and ability to adapt is a key takeaway. It highlights the importance of comprehensive training and preparation, rather than focusing solely on a specific style matchup.
What do you think? Do you agree with Thomas's assessment? Is it fair for an interim title fight to headline over an undisputed title fight? Share your thoughts in the comments!
