UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison withdrew from her scheduled title defense against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 after undergoing surgery to repair herniated discs in her neck, a procedure her manager Ali Abdelaziz revealed was necessary to prevent potential paralysis. Abdelaziz, who manages Harrison through Dominance MMA Management, provided details about the severity of the injury during an interview with Submission Radio.
According to Abdelaziz, Harrison had been dealing with neck issues for at least three years, experiencing symptoms that included tingling sensations and an inability to lift her arm. Despite seeking treatment through injections and anti-inflammatory medications, nothing alleviated the pain. The UFC arranged for Harrison to travel to New York, where doctors determined that immediate surgery was required because the herniated disc was pushing on her spinal cord.
Ali Abdelaziz Reveals Severity of Kayla Harrison’s Neck Injury Ahead of UFC 324
“The UFC flew her to New York, and the doctors said she immediately needs surgery because if she doesn’t get surgery, this could paralyze her,” Abdelaziz explained in an interview with Submission Radio. The manager emphasized the life-threatening nature of the condition, stating that continuing without the procedure would have put Harrison’s “life and long-term health at serious risk”.
Harrison underwent the operation with Dr. Kim, a specialist in New York, on January 14, 2026. Abdelaziz reported that the pain disappeared immediately after the surgery, a common occurrence with successful anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedures. Medical literature indicates that while most patients experience immediate relief from nerve-related symptoms, full recovery typically requires four to six weeks, with bone fusion occurring over eight to twelve weeks.
The injury forced Harrison to postpone what UFC CEO Dana White had described as “the greatest women’s fight of all time”. The bout would have marked Harrison’s first title defense since winning the championship by submitting Julianna Peña at UFC 316 in June 2025. Nunes, who retired after defeating Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in June 2023, announced her return specifically to face Harrison, her former training partner at American Top Team.
Despite the setback, Abdelaziz expressed confidence in Harrison’s return. “Kayla will come back with a vengeance, shut all the doubters and haters,” he said. The manager addressed the possibility of Harrison competing at the UFC White House event scheduled for June 14, 2026, stating that while the timeline presents challenges, Harrison’s determination could make it possible.
“Can she still fight on the White House card? There’s nothing impossible for this young lady,” Abdelaziz noted, adding that if Harrison reaches 70 to 80 percent health, she would be cleared to compete. However, he acknowledged the need to balance ambition with medical reality, emphasizing that Harrison must be adequately healed before returning to competition.
The White House event holds particular significance for Harrison as she is currently the only American UFC champion on the roster. Initial medical reports suggested a six-month recovery timeline, which would make the June date extremely tight given that the surgery occurred in mid-January.
Abdelaziz also commented on the original matchup with Nunes, acknowledging the former champion’s accomplishments while maintaining that Harrison’s camp had prepared extensively. “The plan was to make her look old, to make her look washed up, but you have to respect Amanda,” he said. The manager noted that while the postponement was disappointing, the fight would eventually take place when Harrison was fully prepared.
Harrison issued an emotional statement from her hospital bed, apologizing to Nunes and fans while expressing gratitude to the UFC medical team, Dr. Kim, and her support network. The two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo framed the injury as part of a larger plan, stating her commitment to returning stronger.
UFC officials have confirmed that the Harrison-Nunes bout will be rescheduled for later in 2026, though no specific date has been announced. The postponement represents a significant blow to UFC 324, which was set to launch the promotion’s new partnership with Paramount+ on January 24, 2026.
