Kayla Harrison holds back tears as she addresses UFC 324 withdrawal from hospital bed

Kayla Harrison has shared an emotional update with her fans following her withdrawal from UFC 324.

Kayla Harrison has spoken publicly for the first time since being forced to withdraw from her scheduled title defense at UFC 324, delivering an emotional message directly to fans from her hospital bed in New York. The 35-year-old champion had been set to face Amanda Nunes on January 24 at the promotion’s debut event on Paramount, one of the most anticipated matchups in women’s MMA.

The bout had already generated concern due to both athletes’ cut to the bantamweight division, particularly given Harrison’s size and Nunes’ absence from the weight class since 2023. Those questions were quickly overtaken by more serious developments when it was confirmed on Wednesday that Harrison would be unable to compete due to a severe neck injury.

Harrison confirms surgery and begins recovery process

Initial reports indicated that Harrison had suffered significant damage to her neck, later revealed to include slipped discs that required immediate surgical intervention. Speaking less than 24 hours after the procedure, Harrison addressed supporters through a heartfelt Instagram video, acknowledging both the disappointment surrounding the cancellation and the difficult road ahead.

She explained that the surgery had been performed in New York by specialist Dr. Kim and confirmed that the fight would need to be rescheduled as she begins her recovery. Harrison also offered an apology to Nunes, expressed gratitude toward the UFC for their care, and assured fans that this marked the first step in her return. While early projections suggested a recovery window of up to five months, no definitive timeline has yet been confirmed.

Uncertainty surrounds new date for Harrison vs Nunes

With Harrison now focused on rehabilitation, the future of the long-awaited matchup remains unclear. The bout had previously been described by UFC president Dana White as potentially the greatest women’s fight in the sport’s history, further elevating expectations around its eventual rebooking.

Although some fans had questioned why the contest was not originally placed on the high-profile White House event, the promotion’s June 14 card may arrive too soon for Harrison’s recovery. As a result, industry insiders now expect the fight to be scheduled for later in 2026, once the champion has been fully cleared to return to competition.