With Kayla Harrison forced out of UFC 324 due to a neck injury, Dana White and the matchmakers are now staring at an expensive, high-stakes dilemma involving one of the biggest names the sport has ever produced: Amanda Nunes.

On January 24, Amanda Nunes will return to the Octagon for the first time in three years when she takes on Kayla Harrison for the women’s bantamweight title in the UFC 324 co-main event. ‘The Lioness’ retired from the sport in 2023 after beating Irene Aldana in what was supposed to be a trilogy fight against Julianna Pena.

The first UFC card of 2026 and the promotion’s new Paramount era has reportedly taken a seismic hit just over a week out from the event.

Amanda Nunes has to wait. UFC 324 took a major hit Wednesday when it was reported that the bantamweight champion is undergoing neck surgery that forced her to withdraw from the Jan. 24 card. There is no timetable yet for Harrison’s return,

And one fan was so sure that the Brazilian would continue her great run, that he wagered a whopping $1 million bet that Nunes would retain her title, making history as the biggest MMA bet in history. With a win, Nunes would earn the Nevada bettor $166,666.70.

The new year is set to kick off with plenty of interesting matchups that could see numerous champions dethroned

A chaotic street video has surfaced online showing a woman allegedly related to former UFC ‘champ-champ’ Amanda Nunes delivering a single right hand that shut the lights off on a violent customer outside a bar.

The fight serves as the co-main event on Jan. 24, kicking off the UFC’s new seven year, $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount. Harrison, who captured PFL titles at 155 pounds before moving to the UFC, dominated and finished Julianna Peña to win the belt with hopes that Nunes would eventually return to fight again.