Breaking news in the world of mixed martial arts: the highly anticipated bout between Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison has been postponed, creating a ripple effect throughout the MMA community. CBS Sports reports that this pivotal fight, which was set to serve as the co-main event at UFC 324, will no longer take place on its originally scheduled date. The reason behind this unexpected delay? Kayla Harrison recently underwent surgery to treat herniated discs in her neck, as first detailed by The Eagle Tribune.
This matchup between Harrison and Nunes has been touted as potentially the most significant fight in the realm of women's mixed martial arts. Fans and analysts alike view it as a clash of two titans, and now, the new date for this monumental event remains uncertain.
Kayla Harrison is not just a fighter; she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo who made a striking entrance into the UFC by securing the bantamweight championship last June with a second-round submission victory over Julianna Pena. This win marked Harrison's third appearance in the Octagon, having previously fought entirely in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Throughout her brief UFC career, she has impressively won all three of her matches, showcasing her ability to successfully compete at bantamweight despite initial concerns about her size. Previously, she primarily fought in the featherweight and lightweight divisions during her time in the PFL.
On the other hand, Amanda Nunes has earned near-universal acclaim as the greatest female fighter in MMA history. She captured the bantamweight title at UFC 200, defended it three times, and then moved up to featherweight to claim that championship as well. Nunes later returned to the bantamweight division, where she successfully defended her title four more times before facing an unexpected defeat against Pena at UFC 269. However, she rebounded by winning the rematch at UFC 277 and defended her title one last time against Irene Aldana at UFC 289 before announcing her retirement from the sport, marking the end of an era.
After Harrison’s victory over Pena, Nunes stepped into the Octagon to signal her comeback from retirement, setting the stage for what could have been a blockbuster fight that now must be postponed.
Throughout her illustrious career, Nunes has amassed an impressive record, including ten victories over fighters who have held UFC championships.
UFC 324 is still set to take place on Saturday, January 24, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This event marks a significant milestone as it is part of the newly established media rights agreement between the UFC and Paramount. Fans can look forward to streaming the event live on Paramount+, included with their subscription, signaling the end of traditional pay-per-view UFC events.
But here’s where it gets controversial: with such a significant fight postponed, what does this mean for the future of women’s MMA? Will the delay affect the momentum both fighters have built? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
