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Why Kayla Harrison is concerned Amanda Nunes may not make weight for UFC 324 Title Fight

Originally posted on HITC | By Guadalupe Carniel | Last updated Dec 2, 2025 8:17 AM ET

Kayla Harrison has one big worry ahead of her UFC 324 super fight which will see her defend her title for the first time.

Kayla Harrison should be heading into UFC 324 focused solely on defending her bantamweight belt for the first time. Instead, she has one lingering worry about her long-awaited showdown with Amanda Nunes — a fight that fans have been clamouring for since Harrison entered the UFC in 2024.

After months of uncertainty, Dana White finally unveiled the UFC 324 lineup, confirming Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett as the headliner for the interim lightweight title and Harrison vs. Nunes as the co-main event. But with Nunes returning from retirement and a long layoff, Harrison is unsure the bout will actually take place.

Harrison fears Amanda Nunes may miss weight at UFC 324

Amanda Nunes built her legacy competing at both bantamweight and featherweight, winning and defending titles in each division. But late in her career, she openly struggled to make 135lbs — often favouring the 145lb weight class instead.

Ahead of their clash, Harrison admitted on The Ariel Helwani Show that she isn’t certain Nunes will successfully make bantamweight.
“I’m not convinced she makes 135lbs,” Harrison said. “I’m not worried, but I’ve definitely thought about it. We’ve seen her pull out of main events before, we’ve seen her have issues and struggles.”

Nunes withdrew from five UFC bouts during her career, including a high-profile cancellation on the morning of her title fight against Valentina Shevchenko.

A potential showdown with Valentina Shevchenko looms for Harrison

While Harrison vs. Nunes is being billed as the greatest women’s fight ever on paper, the bantamweight champion may have another monumental matchup waiting. Valentina Shevchenko — long considered a frontrunner in the women’s GOAT debate — recently defended her title at UFC 322 and hinted at wanting Harrison next.

If Harrison beats Nunes and secures her first UFC title defense at UFC 324, a clash with Shevchenko could become the biggest women’s fight in MMA history.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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