Kayla Harrison
USA
Out
Injury Neck
Est. Return 7/1/2026
Out for UFC 324
Harrison will not fight Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 due to neck surgery, per Bill Burt of The Eagle Tribune.
ANALYSIS
Harrison flew to New York last weekend to consult with UFC doctors on her neck problems, which include multiple herniated discs. After she got recommended to undergo surgery, it has been done, according to Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com. The procedure not only postpones the Harrison-Nunes fight but also sidelines the former indefinitely. The bout is expected to be immediately re-scheduled once Harrison recovers, so it is all up to her recovery as 2026 continues. Even though Harrison will be out long-term, because of the stakes of her upcoming fight with Nunes, it looks like the UFC will not vacate the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship held by the former.
Harrison flew to New York last weekend to consult with UFC doctors on her neck problems, which include multiple herniated discs. After she got recommended to undergo surgery, it has been done, according to Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com. The procedure not only postpones the Harrison-Nunes fight but also sidelines the former indefinitely. The bout is expected to be immediately re-scheduled once Harrison recovers, so it is all up to her recovery as 2026 continues. Even though Harrison will be out long-term, because of the stakes of her upcoming fight with Nunes, it looks like the UFC will not vacate the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship held by the former.
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Nunes fight scheduled
Harrison will fight Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The 35-year-old captured the Women's Bantamweight Championship with a win over Julianna Pena in June. Harrison will now prepare for her first title defense against Nunes, who has lost just one fight in the last 10 years.
The 35-year-old captured the Women's Bantamweight Championship with a win over Julianna Pena in June. Harrison will now prepare for her first title defense against Nunes, who has lost just one fight in the last 10 years.
Easily wins belt, Nunes next
Harrison won the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Julianna Pena via submission (kimura) at 4:55 of Round 2 at UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey.
ANALYSIS
It was the expected result, as Harrison entered as a -700 favorite. Kayla simply clinched onto Pena and forced her to the mat with ease on multiple occasions. She was credited with two takedowns on three attempts, although neither of the successful tries were perfect entries by any means. Harrison is just so big and strong that she is able to make something out of nothing. Not that it mattered in the least, but Pena was also docked a point for an illegal upkick in Round 1. Kayla was on her way to a 20-17 lead after two rounds, at which point she slapped on a kimura with just seconds remaining in the frame, and Julianna tapped immediately. The finish would earn Harrison a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. With all due respect to Pena, this is probably going to be the easiest championship fight Harrison has in her entire run. Her first title defense is going to come against Amanda Nunes, one of the best of all time. Nunes came into the Octagon after the result was announced and the two went face-to-face. It's arguably going to be the biggest fight in the history of women's MMA.
It was the expected result, as Harrison entered as a -700 favorite. Kayla simply clinched onto Pena and forced her to the mat with ease on multiple occasions. She was credited with two takedowns on three attempts, although neither of the successful tries were perfect entries by any means. Harrison is just so big and strong that she is able to make something out of nothing. Not that it mattered in the least, but Pena was also docked a point for an illegal upkick in Round 1. Kayla was on her way to a 20-17 lead after two rounds, at which point she slapped on a kimura with just seconds remaining in the frame, and Julianna tapped immediately. The finish would earn Harrison a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. With all due respect to Pena, this is probably going to be the easiest championship fight Harrison has in her entire run. Her first title defense is going to come against Amanda Nunes, one of the best of all time. Nunes came into the Octagon after the result was announced and the two went face-to-face. It's arguably going to be the biggest fight in the history of women's MMA.
Will challenge Pena for title
Harrison will take on Julianna Pena in a bantamweight title fight at UFC 316 in New Jersey on June 7.
ANALYSIS
Harrison defeated Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in her most recent fight, and she should be the odds-on favorite to claim the title over Pena due to the massive advantage she has from a strength perspective. Harrison only has two appearances at the UFC level, but the fact that she's earning a title shot at this stage suggests she's highly regarded in the bantamweight division. Look for Harrison to search for takedowns early and often, as Pena has the advantage in the standup but sports a woeful 23 percent takedown defense throughout her UFC run.
Harrison defeated Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in her most recent fight, and she should be the odds-on favorite to claim the title over Pena due to the massive advantage she has from a strength perspective. Harrison only has two appearances at the UFC level, but the fact that she's earning a title shot at this stage suggests she's highly regarded in the bantamweight division. Look for Harrison to search for takedowns early and often, as Pena has the advantage in the standup but sports a woeful 23 percent takedown defense throughout her UFC run.
Cruises as biggest favorite on card
Harrison defeated Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 307 on Saturday in Salt Like City.
ANALYSIS
This was a strange fight. Entering as a -1000 favorite, Harrison was expected to dominate from start to finish. Her striking has improved, but it still isn't a strength. Where Kayla makes her living is on the mat. She managed to force Vieira to the mat in both Rounds 1 and 3 and proceeded to unload with everything but the kitchen sink. She's so strong that she is going to dominate any opponent in the 135-pound female division from top position. Vieira was ranked No. 2 in the division entering the evening, and the UFC seems certain to use this result to hand Harrison -- who has all of two UFC appearances under her belt -- a title shot. Kayla is likely to get the winner of the Raquel Pennington v. Julianna Pena co-main event and would project as a massive favorite once again over either woman.
This was a strange fight. Entering as a -1000 favorite, Harrison was expected to dominate from start to finish. Her striking has improved, but it still isn't a strength. Where Kayla makes her living is on the mat. She managed to force Vieira to the mat in both Rounds 1 and 3 and proceeded to unload with everything but the kitchen sink. She's so strong that she is going to dominate any opponent in the 135-pound female division from top position. Vieira was ranked No. 2 in the division entering the evening, and the UFC seems certain to use this result to hand Harrison -- who has all of two UFC appearances under her belt -- a title shot. Kayla is likely to get the winner of the Raquel Pennington v. Julianna Pena co-main event and would project as a massive favorite once again over either woman.
Will face Vieira
Harrison will take on Ketlen Vieira in a bantamweight bout at UFC 307 in October, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Harrison will look to pick up her second UFC victory in as many tries after she took care of Holly Holm with a Rear Naked Choke in the second round of a fight back in April. One of the best female fighters in the world, Harrison must face Vieira, who has 11 UFC fights under her belt already.
Harrison will look to pick up her second UFC victory in as many tries after she took care of Holly Holm with a Rear Naked Choke in the second round of a fight back in April. One of the best female fighters in the world, Harrison must face Vieira, who has 11 UFC fights under her belt already.