Norma Dumont offers to fight Amanda Nunes

As fallout continues from Kayla Harrison’s injury and subsequent neck surgery, a new name has stepped forward with a bold proposal: Norma Dumont. With Harrison’s highly anticipated clash against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 postponed, Dumont and her team are quietly positioning her as one of the most compelling alternatives to challenge the returning legend — and possibly compete for bantamweight gold.

A Prime Spot in a Shaky Division

Harrison’s injury — a neck issue serious enough to require surgical intervention and a lengthy recovery — has cast uncertainty over when the champion will be back in action. UFC president Dana White has publicly stated the promotion’s desire to wait on Harrison and rebook the match later in 2026 due to its historical magnitude, calling the Nunes-Harrison bout “the greatest female fight ever.”

That stance leaves a vacuum at the top of the women’s bantamweight rankings, one that Dumont believes she is ready and deserving to fill. Her recent run of success makes her a logical pick to bridge the gap until Harrison is healthy — or possibly even compete for an interim or undisputed title if the delay stretches long enough.

Dumont’s Run to the Spotlight

The Brazilian standout has quietly been one of the most consistent performers in the bantamweight division over the past several years. Currently ranked in the top tier — #3 in UFC’s women’s bantamweight rankings — Dumont has compiled an impressive 13-2 record with a streak of high-quality wins.

Since moving down to bantamweight full-time, she’s put together victories over established names such as Germaine de Randamie, Irene Aldana and most recently Ketlen Vieira, showing her ability to grind through competitive fights and impose her well-rounded skill set on top-level opposition.

Dumont’s style — relentless pressure, technical striking and durable cardio — has made her a tough matchup for anyone outside the elite. Her string of wins has earned praise not just from fans but from her coaching staff, who recently suggested that a fight with Nunes (even as an interim title bout) makes “the most sense” given the current landscape.

A Title Opportunity in Waiting

Norma Dumont has openly campaigned for a title shot in recent months, and there’s growing support behind her claim. After years of fighting through a limbo division — including a stint at featherweight when the UFC’s 145-pound women’s class was still active — Dumont’s move to 135 has paid dividends, earning her consistent wins and a reputation as one of the toughest outs in the division.

With Harrison’s injury keeping the champion sidelined, it opens a conversation many in the MMA community have been having quietly: should the UFC elevate Dumont into an interim title fight or even match her directly with Nunes should the Brazilian legend remain eager for action? While UFC brass has publicly reiterated its plan to wait on Harrison, the longer she stays out of competition, the more urgent the bantamweight title picture becomes.

The Case for Dumont

What makes Dumont a convincing candidate isn’t just her record, but her trajectory. She’s won six in a row across bantamweight competition and shown no hesitation in taking on ranked foes. Her consistency and durability mark her as one of the division’s most battle-tested contenders.

Furthermore, she’s not shy about making her case publicly. Dumont has expressed frustration in the past about opponents avoiding her — a signal that she wants big fights and isn’t content with merely accumulating wins until someone higher in the hierarchy calls her name.

What Comes Next

For now, Harrison’s recovery timeline remains the biggest variable in the women’s bantamweight division. Her neck surgery is expected to require several months of rehab, and while the UFC may still prefer the mega-bout against Nunes to headline a future card, Dumont’s name will only gain traction the longer that fight remains unbooked.

Whether it comes as an interim title fight, a co-main event with a clarified championship stipulation, or a stand-alone marquee bout with Nunes herself, Norma Dumont’s push to replace Harrison is gaining serious momentum. In a division desperate for clarity and future stars, Dumont’s achievements and timing could make her the logical next title challenger.