UFC women's bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison struggled to hold back tears. She spoke about the sudden cancellation of her highly anticipated grudge match against Amanda Nunes. The fight was scheduled as the co-main event for UFC 324 this Saturday in Las Vegas.
Injury Forces Last-Minute Withdrawal
Harrison, a 35-year-old Olympian, had to withdraw from the massive fight. A serious neck injury required immediate surgical intervention. She underwent the procedure in New York City with a specialist named Dr. Kim.
From her hospital bed, Harrison sent a heartfelt video message to her fans. Her voice wavered with emotion as she delivered the disappointing news. "This is a tough one," she admitted, visibly upset. "I just want to say I'm sorry."
An Emotional Message from Recovery
The two-time Olympic gold medalist nearly broke down while thanking her support system. She expressed deep gratitude for her mother, who is currently caring for her children. Harrison also thanked her coaches and teammates at American Top Team.
"This is day one of recovery, and the road back starts now," she declared with determination. Harrison acknowledged the setback but remained focused on her eventual return to the octagon.
Faith and Future Plans
Harrison spoke openly about her faith during this challenging time. "I don't know God's plans," she said. "I know he knows that this is my dream." She emphasized her commitment to staying positive, stating she must praise him "in the mountains and in the valleys."
She ended her message with a promise to her fans. "I'll be back soon," Harrison assured them twice, fighting through her emotions.
Amanda Nunes' Status and UFC 324 Lineup
Amanda Nunes, the former two-weight champion, has not publicly reacted to the fight's postponement. Nunes retired from MMA in June 2023, making this potential comeback fight particularly significant for fans.
With the Harrison-Nunes bout cancelled, UFC 324 will now feature a different co-main event. The card is headlined by an interim lightweight title fight. British fighter Paddy Pimblett will face fan favorite Justin Gaethje in what promises to be an explosive matchup.
The cancellation represents a major setback for the UFC 324 event, occurring just days before the scheduled date. Promoters will need to reschedule the champion versus former champion showdown for a later date, pending Harrison's full recovery from neck surgery.
