Kayla Harrison out of UFC 324 Amanda Nunes fight

Injury Forces Kayla Harrison Out of UFC 324 Co-Main Event, Amanda Nunes Facing New Options — Could Cris Cyborg Step In?

In the lead-up to UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, fight fans were primed for one of the most compelling matchups in women’s MMA history. Two-division great Amanda Nunes was set to challenge reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison in the co-main event, a bout hyped as a generational clash between two of the sport’s fiercest competitors. However, those plans unraveled this week when Harrison was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a serious neck injury that required surgery.

According to multiple reports, Harrison’s injury was tied to herniated discs in her neck, a condition serious enough that UFC medical personnel opted for immediate surgical intervention rather than allowing her to fight through the pain. Doctors warned that delaying surgery could have risked permanent nerve damage or paralysis, making the difficult decision to pull her from what would have been one of the biggest women’s fights in UFC history.

What We Know About Her Recovery

Initial estimates from MMA insiders suggest that Harrison — a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist turned dominant MMA champion — will need at least six months away from competition to recover properly. That timeline includes not just healing from the surgical procedure itself but also an extended period of rehabilitation to restore full strength, flexibility and stability in her neck and upper spine.

Neck surgeries, particularly those involving herniated discs, often require fighters to undergo a combination of physical therapy, controlled mobility work, and strength-building exercises aimed at supporting the cervical spine. For an elite athlete like Harrison, that means carefully progressing from basic range-of-motion drills to more intense conditioning and striking preparation — all while ensuring there’s no risk of re-injury. Given the complexity of these recoveries, medical experts and combat sports figures alike caution that even six months may be optimistic for a return to full contact fighting.

Harrison herself shared an emotional message after surgery, apologizing to fans and expressing her commitment to the long road ahead. The fight is widely expected to be rescheduled once she is cleared to compete, but there’s no official timeline yet from the UFC.

What This Means for Amanda Nunes

For Nunes — who came out of retirement to challenge Harrison — the withdrawal represents a major shift in plans. The Brazilian icon, widely regarded as the greatest female mixed martial artist in history, hadn’t competed in nearly three years before gearing up for Harrison. Her return was anchored around this matchup, making the cancellation a blow to both her comeback narrative and to UFC 324’s co-main event depth.

UFC president Dana White and matchmakers are now reportedly evaluating alternatives for Nunes if Harrison’s recovery takes longer than expected. While an interim title fight isn’t currently on the docket — and figures like Daniel Cormier have publicly discouraged that idea given Harrison’s relatively short projected layoff — the promotion may explore other high-profile opponents to keep “The Lioness” active.

Enter Cris Cyborg?

One name already circulating among fans and insiders is Cris “Cyborg” Justino, the former featherweight champion and MMA legend who has competed at the highest levels across multiple promotions. While Cyborg hasn’t fought in the UFC recently, her star power and legacy make her an intriguing potential opponent for Nunes in a catchweight or super-fight scenario, especially if the UFC wants to deliver a marquee matchup that compensates for Harrison’s absence.

Cyborg, known for her ferocity and physicality inside the cage, would present a stylistically different challenge for Nunes — one that could generate significant buzz and maintain fan interest around Nunes’ return. Conversations around Cyborg stepping in may be premature, but given the scarcity of elite women’s bantamweights who can match Nunes’ stature on short notice, her name has already come up in fight forums and social media discussions.

Outlook

For now, Harrison’s health and long-term wellbeing remain the priority. Neck injuries are among the most serious afflictions a fighter can face, and the UFC’s decision to postpone the bout reflects a cautious approach to preserving a champion’s career. Nunes and the UFC will soon decide how best to utilize the former double-champion in 2026, with options ranging from waiting for a rescheduled Harrison rematch to charting an entirely new path — possibly even involving a legend like Cyborg. Fans will eagerly await official announcements in the coming weeks.