UFC champion Kayla Harrison reacts to withdrawal from UFC 324 due to neck surgery scraps her title fight with Amanda Nunes

UFC champion Kayla Harrison fought back tears as she addressed the cancellation of her grudge match with Amanda Nunes. Harrison was expected to defend her women's bantamweight title against the former champion and her former teammate in the co-main event of UFC 324 in Las Vegas on Saturday. However, Olympian had to leave the massive fight due to a neck injury and has since had surgery.


Kayla Harrison, 35, expressed how disappointed she was to have pulled out of the biggest fight of her career and was flooded with emotion when she sent a video message from the hospital. 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.”

“So instead of that, obviously, we’re going to have to reschedule the fight, and I just want to say I’m sorry.”

Kayla Harrison breaks down in tears in a hospital bed

Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, almost broke down in tears as she thanked her mother for raising her children and promised to get back in the octagon when she’s fighting fit. She said,


“I want to thank my mum, who’s taking care of my kids at home.

“I want to thank all my coaches at American Top Team and all my teammates.

“This is day one of recovery, and the road back starts now.

“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.”

Amanda Nunes, a former two-weight champion, who retired from MMA in June 2023, has not yet reacted to Harrison's match being postponed. UFC 324 will be headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Brit Paddy Pimblett and fan favourite Justin Gaethje.

Also read: Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes title fight delayed in a major setback for UFC 324, just days before the event




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