Speaking on Submission Radio, Abdelaziz expressed both enthusiasm for the potential matchup and concerns about potential obstacles in negotiations.
“This is a big fight,” Abdelaziz said. “Kayla created a moment like this.”
The manager noted that while the fight is what everyone wants to see, he has doubts about Nunes‘ willingness to make it happen. Abdelaziz pointed out that Nunes was sitting near him during Harrison‘s fight and appeared to be rooting against her.
“First, she was sitting next to me, and her energy showed she wanted Kayla to lose. She was not cheering for Kayla. It’s definitely she want Juliana to win. This is 100%,” he revealed.
One of Abdelaziz‘s primary concerns revolves around the weight class for the potential bout. He suggested that Nunes might agree to fight at 135 pounds initially but could later push for a move to 145 pounds.
“This is why I said this fight should happen at 145, because that’s what I’m predicting. She would take the fight at 135, and after three weeks out or two weeks out say, ‘I can’t make the weight, let’s make it at 145,’ or she’s going to pull out.”
Despite these challenges, Abdelaziz emphasized that both fighters want the matchup.
“As far as I know, Amanda wants it. Kayla wants it,” he confirmed.
When asked about the potential timeline for the fight, Abdelaziz deferred to UFC leadership:
“It’s not my job to book a fight. It’s the promoters, it’s Dana White. He’s the guy who makes the matchups, and that’s the guy who tells us when is the fight. If they said November, December, January, whenever.”
The manager also expressed concerns about Nunes potentially delaying the fight.
“I feel Amanda’s going to try to prolong. She’s going to say, ‘I need more time, I need to cut it,'” he said, adding that he would like to see a backup fighter ready in case Nunes withdraws.
As for Harrison‘s future, Abdelaziz believes she’ll remain at bantamweight despite the challenging weight cut.
“Kayla will not stop. People have to see her kill the greatest all the time, and Kayla is such a competitor. She just wants to achieve goals.”
Predicting the outcome of a potential Harrison–Nunes clash, Abdelaziz was emphatic:
“Mark my word. When these two ladies fight, Kayla will make her quit because she made her quit in training. This is why she left the gym. She left her whole entire team, her coaches, everything.”
The UFC has yet to announce an official date for the highly anticipated matchup between Harrison and Nunes, leaving fans eager to see if and when this superfight will materialize.
