
Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison were originally set to collide at UFC 324. The event was set to mark the promotion’s first card under its $7.7 billion Paramount broadcast deal.
However, those plans were disrupted when Harrison suffered a neck injury. Her withdrawal forced the UFC to postpone one of the most anticipated fights in the women’s divisions.
With uncertainty surrounding the bout, Nunes has now stepped in to clarify her stance. The former champion has outlined when she would like the fight to take place if circumstances allow.
Nunes made her position clear when speaking to MMA Junkie about a revised timeline. She pointed directly to July as the ideal window for the long-awaited showdown.
“I feel like International Fight Week would be a good one, if UFC wants that too,” she said. “I hope Kayla is ready for it. I can’t wait.”
When asked about the tight turnaround, Nunes did not hesitate.
The Brazilian star stated: “Yeah. I hope she’s ready, because I am. Let’s see what’s gonna happen. I’m ready for her. Everything depends on Kayla.”
That response reinforces her readiness to return quickly. It also places the focus firmly on Harrison’s recovery timeline ahead of any official booking.
Harrison has offered encouraging signs regarding her recovery. She recently shared posts on Instagram showing she has resumed training following her injury setback.
Those updates suggest progress, but questions remain over whether the timeline is realistic. International Fight Week is now just over two months away, leaving limited preparation time.
A shortened training camp would be far from ideal for a fight of this magnitude, especially with Harrison recovering from neck surgery. Therefore, there is little hope that Nunes’ wish will be fulfilled.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!