Kayla Harrison now has a late-2026 target for her UFC return, and the clearest read is still the delayed Amanda Nunes title fight.
Harrison’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, said the UFC women’s bantamweight champion is expected to compete before 2026 ends. The update matters because Harrison vs. Nunes was pushed back after Harrison’s neck surgery removed her from the planned UFC 324 title defense.
“Yeah, she will fight this year for sure. Towards the end of the year, she will fight, but I’m the one honestly, I said, ‘You know what? I want you to take your time, don’t rush, be healthy.’ That’s the most important thing for her to do. Why does she need to rush? She’s the champion, everybody is chasing her, they have to wait for her.”
That answer gives Harrison a loose late-year lane without turning it into an official booking. It also explains why the Nunes side has stayed attached to the undisputed belt rather than a short-notice detour.
Only the gold for The Lioness! @Amanda_Leoa wants nothing but the UFC title as she moves forward! #UFC324
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) January 21, 2026
“The news about Kayla going through surgery and everything made me sad because I prepared myself a lot. My training camp was perfect. I was super prepared physically, mentally, spiritually. So it’s hard not to get sad with all of that. But what can we do, right? That’s not under our control. So now we just wait and see what the UFC is doing about that.”
“People are talking about an interim belt or fighting someone else and everything, but guys, that’s not happening. I only fight for the regular belt. If the UFC vacates the belt and finds an opponent, then I fight. But no interim belt for me. I also don’t want to fight another opponent now. That’s not an option.”
“So let’s see if we wait for Kayla or not. And see what’s going to happen. But one thing is for sure: I feel good. I’m training a lot. I’m motivated. I’m strong. And I’m 37 years old. Full of energy. ‘The Lioness’ is still hunting. I’m ready to get my belt back against whoever shows up.”
Harrison had also put the Nunes fight directly in public view earlier this year, calling it the kind of matchup that could lift the whole women’s side of the sport.
Good morning @Amanda_Leoa! I can’t wait for us to have the greatest fight of all time and take women’s mma to a whole new level! The best vs. the goat!
— Kayla Harrison Official (@KaylaH) April 16, 2026
Harrison And Nunes Bring Different Stakes
Harrison is 19-1 in MMA and 3-0 in the UFC. Her Octagon run started with a second-round rear-naked choke of Holly Holm at UFC 300, continued with a decision over Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307, and reached the belt when she submitted Julianna Pena by kimura at 4:55 of round two at UFC 316.
Nunes is 23-5 and has not fought since UFC 289 on June 10, 2023, when she beat Irene Aldana by unanimous decision and announced her retirement. Her history still defines this matchup: two UFC belts, wins over Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, and Julianna Pena, and a second bantamweight reign that ended only because she vacated the title.
Harrison is 36 and has spent her UFC run proving she can make 135 pounds, even though the cut has repeatedly been part of the story. Nunes is 38 and would be returning after more than three years away from competition if the title fight lands late this year.
