Injured Harrison out of Nunes UFC 324 title fight

Kayla Harrison has been ruled out of her bantamweight title defence against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 in Las Vegas next week after having surgery on a neck injury.

In a video on Instagram, an emotional Harrison, who can be seen wearing a neck brace while lying in a hospital bed, apologises before adding "this is day one of recovery".

The bout with Nunes, which was set to be the co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena on 24 January, is set to be rescheduled.

"This is a tough one. I had to have surgery on my neck yesterday here in New York City," said Harrison.

"We're going to have to reschedule the fight. I just want to say I'm sorry to Amanda, I was really looking forward to it, and I just want to thank everyone.

"I want to thank the UFC for taking such good care of me, the doctor, my mum who is looking after my kids at home and I want to thank my coaches.

"This is day one of recovery, the road back starts now. I'm sorry guys. I'll be back soon."

The UFC has not announced a replacement bout and has instead promoted former bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley's contest with Song Yadong to the co-main event.

Harrison, 35, was set to make the first defence of her title against returning former double champion Nunes in a bout UFC president Dana White had described as "the biggest women's fight of all time".

Former two-time PFL lightweight champion Harrison beat Julianna Pena in June to win the belt in only her third UFC fight.

Brazil's Nunes, who many regard as the greatest women's mixed martial artist of all time, was set to compete in her first bout since retiring from the sport in 2023.

The 37-year-old former bantamweight and featherweight champion is the only woman in history to hold UFC titles in two separate divisions.

The card on 24 January will be headlined by Britain's Paddy Pimblett, who is set to face American Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title.