Kayla Harrison Injury Postpones UFC 324 Title Showdown

UFC 324, one of the most anticipated cards of the year, has undergone a dramatic change just days before fight night. The highly awaited women’s bantamweight title clash between reigning champion Kayla Harrison and legendary former champion Amanda Nunes has been postponed after Harrison suffered a neck injury that required immediate surgery. The shakeup has sent ripples through the mixed martial arts world, leaving fans and fighters alike eagerly awaiting updates on the rescheduled bout and the new look of the Las Vegas event.

Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and the UFC’s newly crowned bantamweight queen, was set to defend her title in what many dubbed a “superfight” against Nunes. The two were not just rivals in the octagon—they were former teammates, adding layers of intrigue and personal stakes to the contest. The fight was scheduled as the co-main event for UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026, a showcase that was also intended to mark the UFC’s new broadcast partnership with Paramount+.

However, just over a week before the event, news broke that Harrison would be unable to compete. Multiple outlets confirmed that Harrison underwent surgery in New York City to repair herniated discs in her neck. The exact date of the operation was reported as January 16, 2026, though some sources cited January 13 or 17—a minor discrepancy, but all agreed the procedure happened in the days leading up to the event. The surgery, performed by Dr. Kim, was deemed necessary after Harrison’s injury was evaluated by specialists.

In an emotional video message from her hospital bed, Harrison addressed her fans, her coaches, and her family. Fighting back tears, she said, “Hi guys, I just wanted to give a bit of an update on my end. This is a tough one. I had to have surgery on my neck yesterday here in New York City with a specialist, Dr Kim.” She continued, “So instead of that, obviously, we’re going to have to reschedule the fight, and I just want to say I’m sorry.”

Her gratitude was palpable as she thanked her mother for caring for her children during her recovery, and she expressed appreciation for her coaches at American Top Team and her teammates. “This is day one of recovery, and the road back starts now,” Harrison said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I don’t know God’s plans. I know he knows that this is my dream. So I got to praise him in the mountains, and I got to praise him in the valleys. And so I’m grateful for this. I hope that it brings me closer to him and that he uses this story in a mighty way. That’s it. I’m sorry, guys. I’ll be back soon. I’ll be back soon.”

The postponement is a crushing blow not only for Harrison, who described it as the biggest fight of her career, but also for fans who were eager to see whether she could cement her legacy against one of the sport’s all-time greats. Harrison, who won the UFC bantamweight title in June 2025 with a submission victory over Julianna Pena at UFC 316, has been on a meteoric rise since joining the promotion in 2024. Her record stands at an impressive 19-1, with signature wins over top contenders like Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira. As only the second Olympic champion to win a UFC title, her star power has been a major draw for the organization.

Amanda Nunes, meanwhile, was preparing for a blockbuster return. Widely considered the greatest female fighter in UFC history, Nunes retired in June 2023 after successfully defending her bantamweight crown. She vacated both the featherweight and bantamweight titles shortly thereafter, capping off a career that saw her dominate two divisions and defeat a who’s who of women’s MMA. Nunes, now 37, had not fought in over two and a half years and had not yet commented publicly on the postponement at the time of this report.

The UFC moved swiftly to reconfigure the UFC 324 lineup. With Harrison vs. Nunes off the card, the interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett was promoted to main event status. Gaethje (26-5), a former champion known for his relentless style, faces Pimblett (23-3), whose star has risen rapidly thanks to his dynamic fighting and colorful personality. The interim title is up for grabs as Ilia Topuria, the reigning lightweight champion, is temporarily sidelined.

To fill the co-main event slot, the UFC elevated the bantamweight showdown between Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong. O’Malley, once the division’s brightest prospect, comes into the fight looking to snap a two-fight losing streak after back-to-back defeats to Merab Dvalishvili. Song, on the other hand, has been quietly climbing the rankings with a 3-1 record in his last four fights, his only recent loss coming to former champion Petr Yan.

Another significant change sees the women’s flyweight bout between Natalia Silva and former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas promoted from the prelims to the main card. Silva remains undefeated in the UFC at 7-0, while Namajunas is 3-1 in her last four outings as she continues her transition to the 125-pound division. Both fighters see this as a pivotal moment in their respective quests for UFC gold.

Despite the disappointment surrounding the Harrison-Nunes postponement, UFC 324 still promises high-stakes action and plenty of storylines. The main event between Gaethje and Pimblett is expected to deliver fireworks, with both fighters known for their aggressive styles and finishing ability. The reshuffled co-main and main card bouts ensure that fans tuning in on January 24 will still have plenty to cheer about.

As for Kayla Harrison, her road to recovery has just begun. Most reports suggest she will be sidelined for at least the first half of 2026, with no definitive timeline for her return. The UFC has indicated that the Harrison vs. Nunes clash is postponed, not canceled, and will be rescheduled once Harrison is cleared to compete. Until then, the MMA world waits with bated breath for the next chapter in this compelling rivalry.

For now, all eyes turn to Las Vegas, where new contenders are set to seize their moment under the bright lights of UFC 324. The hope remains that, when Harrison is ready, the dream bout with Nunes will finally become reality and deliver the historic showdown fans have been craving.