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Kayla Harrison‘s Neck Surgery postpones Highly Anticipated UFC 324 Bout with Amanda Nunes
The highly anticipated women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) bout between UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison and former two-weight champion Amanda Nunes has been postponed. Harrison underwent surgery this week to address herniated discs in her neck,as she confirmed on her official Twitter account. She consulted with UFC doctors in New York last weekend, who recommended the procedure.
Background and Importance of the Fight
Harrison (19-1) was scheduled to defend her bantamweight title against Nunes (23-5) at UFC 324, taking place on january 20, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was slated as the co-main event, with an interim lightweight title fight between Justin gaethje and Paddy Pimblett headlining the card.
This matchup held significant past weight due to Nunes’ status as widely considered the greatest female fighter of all time. Nunes, 37, had previously announced her retirement in June 2023, but elected to return to challenge Harrison. MMA Fighting reported on Nunes’ initial retirement, highlighting her accomplishments across two weight classes.
History Between Harrison and Nunes
The rivalry between Harrison and nunes extends beyond the Octagon. Both fighters previously trained at American Top Team (ATT) in Coconut Creek,Florida. Nunes departed ATT in 2022, reportedly due to the potential future clash with Harrison. ESPN detailed nunes’ reasons for leaving ATT, citing the looming possibility of a fight with Harrison as a key factor.
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of January 16, 2026, the UFC has not announced a rescheduled date for the championship fight. The timeline for Harrison’s recovery and return to competition remains uncertain, dependent on her rehabilitation progress. The postponement impacts the UFC’s