Overview
- Kayla Harrison confirmed in a hospital video that she had neck surgery in New York with specialist Dr. Kim and apologized to Amanda Nunes as their title fight was postponed.
- The UFC reworked the Jan. 24 card, elevating Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong to the co-main event, while Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title remains the headliner.
- Initial reporting points to a recovery projection of roughly six months for Harrison, though no firm timetable has been set and the fight will be rescheduled at a later date.
- UFC officials have not booked a replacement for Nunes, with public calls from contenders like Norma Dumont and Julianna Peña and a crossover offer from boxing champion Amanda Serrano.
- The Eagle-Tribune first reported Harrison’s withdrawal, later confirmed by Léo Walker Guimaraes, as the promotion’s Paramount+ debut loses its marquee women’s matchup.