Harrison vs Nunes Prediction, Odds & UFC 334 Co-Main Event Picks

• Kayla Harrison defends the bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes in the UFC 334 co-main event
• Harrison is a -169 favorite at BetMGM with Nunes sitting at +140
• See my expert Harrison vs Nunes prediction, odds and co-main event picks below

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The UFC 334 co-main event puts Kayla Harrison’s bantamweight title on the line against Amanda Nunes at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 14.

Both women are coming off lengthy layoffs, including Nunes’ three-year hiatus following her retirement in June 2023. The consensus female ‘GOAT’ took time away from the sport to be a mother and spend time with her family before returning to settle an old score with a former teammate.

The market has priced that retirement heavily and little else. Here is my Harrison vs Nunes prediction and pick for the UFC 334 co-main event.

Harrison vs Nunes Prediction

• Harrison vs Nunes Pick: Amanda Nunes Moneyline (+140 at BetMGM)

My original price was +155 and the number has come in since, though +140 is still a price I would play. The layoff talk cuts both ways here, between Nunes’ retirement and Harrison’s neck surgery at the beginning of the year.

But since Nunes’ last fight in June 2023, Harrison has only gone 4-0. Her decision to sign with the UFC allowed this super-fight to happen, but it comes at the expense of her career longevity and general health, with the draining cuts down to 135 pounds admittedly taking a significant toll on her body. In the last 12 months, the champion has rehabbed her devastating neck injury while twice cutting down to 135 pounds.

Injuries and layoffs aside, Harrison clearly has the grappling edge, while Nunes figures to still be the superior striker. Harrison has landed two takedowns in all three UFC fights, but Nunes has allowed multiple takedowns just once in her 20-fight UFC career. Since her loss to Cat Zingano in 2014, ‘The Lioness’ has 34 takedowns while allowing just three.

There are always a lot of questions about a fighter coming out of retirement, but there seem to be even more on Harrison’s side entering this fight. Nunes could have remained retired and her legacy would have been unaffected, but she chose to come back to settle the score with Harrison.

Harrison vs Nunes Odds

BetMGM odds as of Saturday, November 14 at 12:14 AM ET. Prices are subject to change. Check out the best UFC betting apps for UFC 334 on Saturday.

Nunes has already shown she can adjust after a grappling loss. Julianna Peña submitted her in their first fight, but Nunes won back the belt over five rounds in the rematch. Both women made 135 pounds on Friday. At plus money, I like Nunes to make Harrison work for a second takedown even if she lands the first.

Harrison vs Nunes: The Takedown Problem

Harrison’s route to winning this fight runs through the mat. That is the version of the fight everyone is pricing in.

The trouble is that Nunes has almost never been put down repeatedly inside the UFC, and her own takedown numbers across recent years run overwhelmingly in her favor. She is not a striker who merely survives grappling exchanges.

If Harrison cannot establish that grappling advantage early, the favorite is left fighting in the challenger’s domain. That is the scenario I am buying at plus money.

There’s a difference between landing one throw and keeping Nunes down long enough to win a round. Watch the first time Harrison gets her hands together against the fence. If Nunes can make Harrison work to score points, the lingering weight cut affects will compound over the 25-minute battle. That’s the exchange I’m weighing, not just the number of takedowns on a scorecard.

How to Watch Harrison vs Nunes

UFC 334 comes from Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 14. The main card begins at 9:00 PM ET on Paramount+, with the Harrison vs Nunes co-main event going on second to last.