Kayla Harrison Plans Return to Fight Before End of 2026

Kayla Harrison is scheduled to compete before the end of 2026, which will lead to a long-awaited fight with Amanda Nunes.

Harrison's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, confirmed that the Olympic gold medalist will return to fighting later this year after recovering from neck surgery that caused her to withdraw from a title defense in January. Abdelaziz emphasized the importance of Harrison taking her time to ensure a full recovery, stating that her health is the priority.

The 36-year-old champion underwent surgery in January due to a serious injury, which also led to her absence from the UFC White House card. Harrison has faced challenges in making the 135-pound bantamweight limit during her UFC career, and her extended break may complicate future weight cuts. She has indicated that her time in the bantamweight division may be limited, potentially prompting the UFC to consider reopening the featherweight division to keep her active. Harrison last fought in June 2025, where she submitted Julianna Pena to win the bantamweight title, while Nunes has been waiting for a chance to fight since her victory over Irene Aldana in June 2023.