Mixed martial arts fans will have to wait to see one of the most anticipated fights in women's UFC history. The scheduled bantamweight showdown between champion Kayla Harrison and legend Amanda Nunes has been postponed after Harrison underwent emergency neck surgery.
Medical Emergency Forces Schedule Change
According to a report from the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, Harrison traveled to New York last weekend to consult with UFC doctors. The medical team advised immediate surgery to repair herniated discs in her neck. The procedure took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
The promotion has not yet made an official statement or cancelled the bout, which was still listed on the UFC website as of Wednesday afternoon. However, multiple sources, including the MMA website Sherdog, have confirmed the surgery and the subsequent postponement.
The fight, originally set for January 24, 2026, as the co-main event of UFC 324, is now delayed for a minimum of six months. This timeline allows Harrison the necessary period for recovery and retraining before returning to the octagon.
High Stakes for a Historic Matchup
The clash carried significant weight for the women's bantamweight division. Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest women's MMA fighter of all time with a 23-5 career record, came out of retirement specifically for the chance to fight Harrison.
Harrison, the reigning champion, has been dominant since joining the UFC in 2024, securing three consecutive victories. She captured the bantamweight title in June 2025 by submitting Julianna Pena. Her professional MMA record stands at an impressive 19-1. Before her MMA career, Harrison was a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, winning at both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Games.
UFC 324 Moves Forward with New Main Event
With the Harrison-Nunes bout off the card, the other scheduled co-main event will now headline UFC 324. The fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title will take top billing.
This event also marks a significant broadcast milestone for the UFC, as UFC 324 will be the promotion's first event aired on its new media partner, Paramount+.
While the delay is a disappointment for fans eagerly awaiting the superfight, the priority remains Harrison's health and full recovery. The MMA community will now await new dates for what promises to be a legendary confrontation once the champion is medically cleared to compete.
