Kayla Harrison, the UFC bantamweight champion, has withdrawn from her scheduled fight against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324, which was set for January 24 in Las Vegas. The reason for the withdrawal is a neck injury involving herniated discs, requiring surgery. The UFC plans to reschedule the co-main event bout, though no new date has been announced.
Withdrawal Details
Harrison, 35, confirmed her withdrawal on social media on Thursday. The fight against Amanda Nunes was scheduled as the co-main event for UFC 324, taking place at T-Mobile Arena.
Injury and Medical Treatment
Harrison's withdrawal is due to herniated discs in her neck. Following consultations, doctors in New York, including UFC medical personnel, determined that surgery was necessary to repair the damage. This medical requirement prompted her exit from the planned bout.
The Scheduled Bout
The fight between Harrison (19-1) and Nunes (23-5) was designated as a significant matchup within the sport. It was to precede an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, which is the main event of UFC 324. UFC President White had previously characterized the Harrison vs. Nunes matchup as the "greatest women's fight of all time."
Fighter Backgrounds
Amanda Nunes, 37, a former two-weight UFC champion, had retired in June 2023. This fight was intended to mark her return from retirement, with Nunes having expressed her intention to reclaim the belt she vacated and face Harrison. Both fighters previously trained together at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. Nunes departed the team in 2022, a decision she indicated was influenced by the potential for a fight against Harrison.
Future of the Fight
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) intends to rebook the fight between Harrison and Nunes at a later date. However, the organization has not yet announced a specific timeline or any new rescheduling plans for the championship contest.