It appears as though Kayla Harrison will not fight Amanda Nunes at UFC 324. The women’s bantamweight title fight was set to serve as the co-main event. UFC 324 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Jan. 24.
The Eagle Tribune first reported the news, and journalist Leo Walker Guimaraes later confirmed it. Harrison suffered a neck injury that requires surgery, forcing her withdrawal from the event.
“Kayla Harrison is out of the fight against Amanda Nunes on January 24, UFC 324,” Guimaraes wrote on X. “I was able to confirm [The Eagle Tribune’s report] now about the cancellation. The champion had a neck injury and needed to undergo surgery.”
Harrison most recently captured the women’s bantamweight championship with a dominant 2nd round submission win over Julianna Pena. Following the bout, Nunes entered the octagon for a faceoff, signaling her intent to return from retirement.
The injury represents a significant setback for the UFC. The promotion begins their new media rights deal with Paramount, and Harrison vs. Nunes was a highly anticipated bout.
Harrison and Nunes are former teammates and considered two of the most dominant female fighters in MMA history. UFC CEO Dana White previously described the planned bout as the greatest women’s fight of all-time.
Kayla Harrison Expected to Have Long Layoff
Kayla Harrison is expected to miss significant time due to her injury. Because she required surgery, Harrison will be out for several months.
Journalist Leo Walker Guimaraes reported that Harrison may need up to six months to recover.
“The prediction is that Harrison’s return will happen around six months,” Guimaraes wrote on X. “I was not informed whether there will be the creation of an interim belt for Amanda to fight for.”
Harrison last fought at UFC 316. If she returns in six months, she will have had a one-year gap between fights.
As Guimaraes reported, it is unclear whether Nunes will remain on the card to compete for an interim title instead. The decision may depend on the clearer return date.
Nunes could also choose to wait for Harrison’s return instead of competing for an interim title.
Who Can Replace Harrison for UFC 324 Clash with Nunes?
If the UFC elects to keep Nunes on the card for an interim women’s bantamweight title fight, the options are limited.
One logical option is a trilogy bout between Nunes and Julianna Pena. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ submitted Nunes to capture the title in their first meeting. However, Nunes later reclaimed the title with a dominant unanimous decision victory in the rematch.
A trilogy bout may be difficult to book, as Pena is coming off her title loss to Harrison. Another option is Norma Dumont should the UFC matchmakers offer her a short-notice opportunity.
Dumont is ranked No. 3 in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. She also has plenty of momentum, as she is riding a six-fight winning streak. Her recent wins include Ketlen Vieira, Irene Aldana, and former women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie.
A fight between Nunes and Dumont could be appealing, as they never faced each other before. The former two-division UFC champion retired while Dumont was moving up the rankings.
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