The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been forced to make a major, last-minute change to one of its most anticipated events of the year. The women's bantamweight title super-fight between champion Kayla Harrison and returning legend Amanda Nunes has been postponed, delivering a significant blow to the UFC 324 pay-per-view card.
Injury Forces Champion's Withdrawal
Just nine days before the event was set to take place, reigning champion Kayla Harrison has been ruled out of her first title defence. The 35-year-old Olympic gold medallist, who won the belt by dethroning Julianna Pena in June 2025, reportedly required surgery this week to repair herniated discs in her neck. This medical procedure has necessitated the beginning of a recovery period, scuppering the historic matchup with Nunes.
The UFC confirmed the bout has been "postponed to a later date" rather than seeking a replacement opponent for Nunes. This decision underscores the promotion's commitment to preserving what is considered one of the biggest fights in women's mixed martial arts history. Nunes, a former two-division champion, will now have to wait longer for her first Octagon appearance since coming out of retirement in 2023.
Card Reshuffle and Interim Title Questions
With the planned main event sidelined, the UFC has reshuffled the UFC 324 lineup. The interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Liverpool's own Paddy Pimblett will now serve as the evening's headliner.
Moving into the co-main event slot is the bantamweight clash between former champion Sean "Suga" O'Malley and top contender Song Yadong. This high-stakes bout gains even more prominence on the revised card.
The injury has sparked immediate debate about the future of the women's 135-pound division. UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Daniel Cormier questioned the potential for an interim title during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. Cormier pondered the timeline, stating, "Is Kayla gone for six months? Because if she's only out for six months, you can't say this an interim title fight... The problem is, you don't get better by not doing something. We don't know if Amanda Nunes is as good as when she left." He suggested that if Harrison's recovery extends beyond six months, the UFC might consider booking Nunes for an interim belt to keep the division moving.
Further Changes to the UFC 324 Lineup
Harrison's injury was not the only alteration to the fight card. The promotion also confirmed a change in the women's flyweight division. Alexa Grasso has been removed from her scheduled bout against Rose Namajunas. Stepping in to face Namajunas will be the number two ranked contender, Natalia Silva.
The exact timescale for Kayla Harrison's recovery and projected return to competition has not been publicly confirmed by the UFC or her team. Fans and pundits alike will now await further medical updates while the promotion works to reschedule the blockbuster championship fight between two of the sport's most formidable athletes.
