Kayla Harrison, the current UFC women's bantamweight champion, is eyeing a potential showdown with Amanda Nunes at the highly anticipated White House event. This event, organized by President Donald Trump, is set to take place in the summer of 2026, and it has sparked a frenzy among UFC fighters eager to secure a spot on the celebratory card.
Harrison, who recently submitted Julianna Pena to win the title, is confident in her abilities and has outlined her plans for her second title defense. She envisions a bout with Nunes, a former two-division champion, as a stepping stone to the White House event. However, this fight is yet to be officially announced, and Harrison is also considering other options.
One of her potential opponents is Valentina Shevchenko, who will face Zhang Weili in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden. If Shevchenko emerges victorious, Harrison is keen to welcome her back to the 135-pound division. Harrison expressed her enthusiasm for the Nunes fight during an appearance on Jorge Masvidal's Death Row MMA podcast, stating that it will happen soon and is highly anticipated.
However, the road to the White House event is not without its obstacles. Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has publicly turned down a potential comeback, ruling out her participation in the White House event. This leaves Harrison with a limited number of options for her second title defense, and she is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Nunes fight to determine her next steps.
The White House event, scheduled for the summer of 2026, promises to be a historic and highly anticipated gathering of UFC champions. With Harrison's ambitions and the potential for a Nunes showdown, the event is set to be a significant milestone in the world of mixed martial arts.
