Kayla Harrison has been forced to withdraw from her highly anticipated bantamweight title defence against Amanda Nunes after suffering an injury, dealing a major blow to UFC 324, which takes place in Las Vegas next week.

The UFC confirmed that the bout has been postponed to a later date, though no timetable has yet been provided for Harrison’s return or the rescheduling of the fight. The promotion has also not disclosed the exact nature of the injury, but multiple American media outlets report that the 35-year-old champion is expected to undergo surgery for herniated discs in her neck.

The fight was scheduled to serve as the co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena on 24 January, and had been billed by UFC president Dana White as “the biggest women’s fight of all time.”

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Major Setback for Landmark Women’s MMA Bout

Harrison vs Nunes was widely viewed as a generational clash in women’s mixed martial arts, pitting one of the sport’s most dominant recent champions against the woman many consider the greatest female fighter in MMA history.

With Harrison sidelined, the UFC has opted not to name a replacement opponent for Nunes. Instead, former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley’s bout with Song Yadong has been elevated to co-main event status.

The cancellation removes one of the most eagerly awaited title fights in recent UFC history and leaves fans uncertain about when—or if—the matchup will eventually take place.

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Harrison’s Rapid Rise in the UFC

Since joining the UFC in 2024, Kayla Harrison has enjoyed a flawless run, winning all three of her fights in the promotion. A former two-time Olympic judo gold medallist and two-time PFL lightweight champion, Harrison made a seamless transition into the UFC, quickly establishing herself as a dominant force.

In June, she captured the bantamweight title by defeating Julianna Peña, claiming the belt in just her third UFC appearance—one of the fastest championship ascents in modern UFC history.

The bout against Nunes was set to be Harrison’s first title defence, and a victory would have further cemented her legacy as one of the most accomplished female fighters across multiple combat sports.

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Amanda Nunes’ Comeback Put on Hold

For Amanda Nunes, the fight represented a dramatic return to the Octagon after retiring in 2023 while holding both the bantamweight and featherweight titles.

The 37-year-old Brazilian remains the only woman in UFC history to hold championships in two weight divisions simultaneously, and her résumé includes victories over nearly every elite fighter of her era.

Nunes’ return was seen as an opportunity to add another defining chapter to an already historic career. Instead, her comeback is now delayed, with uncertainty surrounding whether she will wait for Harrison’s recovery or pursue an alternative opponent.

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UFC 324 Card Still Headlined by Pimblett vs Gaethje

Despite the loss of its marquee women’s bout, UFC 324 remains a major event, headlined by Britain’s Paddy Pimblett.

The Liverpool fighter is set to face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title, in what is widely viewed as the most significant fight of Pimblett’s career to date.

The reshuffled card will still feature high-profile matchups, but the absence of Harrison vs Nunes has undoubtedly reduced the event’s historic appeal.

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What Happens Next?

The UFC has stated only that the Harrison-Nunes fight has been postponed, leaving several unanswered questions:

• How long will Harrison be sidelined following surgery?
• Will Nunes remain committed to the matchup?
• Could the UFC reschedule the bout later in 2026?

For now, fans will have to wait to see whether this long-anticipated showdown eventually makes it to the Octagon—or becomes one of the sport’s great “what-ifs.”