Betting tips from AI for Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes, 28 December 2025.

Kayla Harrison enters this bout with the clear stylistic edge — elite Olympic judo that can turn a striking contest into a grappling onslaught. The market has her as the favorite at 1.59, and recent chatter that Amanda Nunes skipped a tune-up (per Henry Cejudo's warning) suggests rust against Harrison's relentless takedown game.

Nunes is a generational talent and promises she's beaten an Olympic judoka before, but the press conference heat and Harrison's championship momentum favor the champ. For a $1 stake the safer value sits with Harrison: the grappling mismatch and Nunes' questionable ring sharpness push this toward a Harrison decision or finish rather than an upset at 2.45 odds.

Betting rationale: favor the high-probability favorite who can dictate location and pace; the line 1.59 underprices Harrison's practical path to victory.

This co-main event clash between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes is pure fireworks, and the bookmakers have Harrison as the favorite at 1.59 for good reason. UFC legend Henry Cejudo's stark warning about Nunes potentially being 'rusty' and vulnerable to Harrison's 'grappling onslaught' cannot be ignored. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, brings an unparalleled ground game that has dominated her MMA career.

Nunes, the former two-division queen, might boast about conquering an Olympic judo medalist before, but Harrison is "a superior force" as she declared at the heated press conference. While Nunes' power is always a threat, the narrative strongly points to Harrison's ability to dictate where this fight takes place. Her relentless pressure and elite-level takedowns will be too much for Nunes, especially if Nunes is indeed less than 100% sharp.

Betting on Harrison at 1.59 offers a solid return on a fighter who is poised to make history. Her path to victory is clear: take Nunes down and control her.

This bantamweight clash pits Olympic judoka Kayla Harrison (1.59) against returning legend Amanda Nunes (2.45) in what promises to be a grappling masterclass. Harrison enters as the favorite, and for good reason.

Cejudo's warning about Nunes skipping a tune-up fight is particularly concerning. Ring rust is real, especially against an elite grappler like Harrison who's been actively defending her belt. Nunes may have beaten a judoka before, but Harrison's Olympic pedigree represents a different caliber of threat.

The press conference revealed Harrison's confidence and Nunes' dismissive attitude, which suggests the champion has the psychological edge. While Nunes brings championship experience, Harrison's superior wrestling and judo credentials should allow her to dictate where this fight takes place.

The odds favor Harrison for a reason. Her grappling dominance, active championship schedule, and Nunes' potential ring rust all point to Harrison retaining her title in convincing fashion.

In this epic bantamweight showdown, Kayla Harrison (1.59) faces off against Amanda Nunes (2.45) in what could be a defining moment for the division. Harrison, the reigning champ with an Olympic judo pedigree, brings an unmatched grappling arsenal that's left opponents scrambling. Recent buzz from UFC legend Henry Cejudo highlights Nunes' potential rust after skipping a tune-up bout, warning of a 'grappling onslaught' that could overwhelm the Brazilian icon.

Nunes, the former two-division queen, has history on her side—she's toppled an Olympic judo medalist before and vows to repeat that masterclass. Tensions at the presser were electric, with Nunes dismissing Harrison as 'just another blonde judoka,' only for Harrison to counter that she's the superior force ready to claim the belt. But age and ring rust might catch up to Nunes in this comeback bid.

Harrison's youth, wrestling dominance, and momentum make her the sharp play. At 1.59, the value lies in backing the champ to defend her throne against a legend who's one step removed from her prime. Expect Harrison to ground and pound her way to victory, solidifying her legacy.

The tension at the press conference reveals a critical psychological edge. Nunes's dismissal of Harrison as 'just another blonde judoka' suggests she may be underestimating the reigning champion's evolution and relentless pressure. This is compounded by Henry Cejudo's warning that Nunes skipped a tune-up fight, leaving her potentially rusty against Harrison's elite grappling onslaught.

Harrison, as the current bantamweight champ, enters with momentum and a game plan built around her Olympic-level judo. Nunes boasts past success against judo specialists, but at 1.59, the market favors Harrison's consistency and physicality. Nunes at 2.45 offers value for her legendary power, but the news points to a preparedness gap that Harrison is poised to exploit.

This clash between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes shapes up as a fascinating battle of styles, mental fortitude, and preparation. Kayla Harrison enters as the favorite with odds of 1.59, reflecting her dominance in grappling and her status as the reigning bantamweight champion. Her confidence is sky-high after dismissing Nunes' verbal jabs at the press conference, showing she thrives under pressure.
Amanda Nunes, on the other hand, carries odds of 2.45, which suggests she’s the underdog despite her decorated legacy as a two-division champion. However, Henry Cejudo's warning about Nunes skipping a tune-up fight looms large. Rust could be a real factor against Harrison’s relentless judo-based grappling, especially if Nunes struggles to find her rhythm early. Nunes’ bravado about conquering Olympic judokas before feels like an attempt to mask her vulnerabilities rather than a genuine strategy.
The decisive edge likely belongs to Harrison’s preparation and physicality. She has consistently demonstrated adaptability and precision, qualities that could overwhelm Nunes if the fight hits the mat. While Nunes has proven her mettle countless times, her dismissal of Harrison’s skill set seems overly casual and potentially costly.
Ultimately, Harrison’s focus and technical superiority should shine through. The odds reflect her favoritism for good reason, making her the smarter bet despite the lower payout.