A major blow has hit the UFC 324 card as Kayla Harrison has been forced to withdraw from her highly anticipated fight against Amanda Nunes. This is a significant setback for fight fans and the UFC alike.
The clash between these two titans of women's MMA was scheduled as the co-feature attraction at UFC 324 on January 24th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Harrison suffered a herniated disc in her neck, forcing her to pull out of the bout. She initially sought treatment in New York, but doctors ultimately recommended surgery, leading to the cancellation of the fight.
This is a major disappointment, especially considering the hype surrounding the event. The UFC is now expected to reschedule the fight for a later date, although no timeline has been announced yet.
This cancellation is a significant loss for the Sin City card, which is slated to be the UFC's inaugural numbered event under the new broadcaster, Paramount+. The event is still set to feature a main event between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. Sean O'Malley and Song Ya Dong will also meet in a high-stakes bantamweight clash.
Before the postponement, Dana White had called the Harrison vs. Nunes fight 'the greatest women's fight of all time.'
And this is where the story gets even more interesting... The bout was intended to mark Nunes' return to the sport after retiring in 2023. She had dominated the bantamweight and featherweight divisions for an impressive seven years.
Harrison, a two-time PFL tournament winner, signed with the UFC a year after Nunes' retirement. She then went on to defeat Nunes' long-time rival, Juliana Pena, claiming the 135lbs title in June.
Harrison has long been considered the best female fighter outside of the premier MMA promotion. The chance to further solidify her status as the GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time) is what brought Nunes back into the Octagon.
“One year passed by, and I was kind of looking at Nina [Ansarov] around the house like ‘Nina, I cannot stay away,’” Nunes told Paramount. “I can’t. I tried so hard for one year. The thoughts started [being stronger], and Kayla signed with the UFC. This is just meant to be. So everything’s coming together.”
Here's a twist that adds another layer to the narrative: Nunes and Harrison were once teammates at the American Top Team gym in Florida. However, Nunes left the facility in 2021 after losing her bantamweight crown to Pena. The Brazilian superstar now trains at her own gym under the guidance of Din Thomas.
What do you think about the cancellation of this fight? Do you believe it was the right decision for Harrison to withdraw? Will the rescheduled fight live up to the hype? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
