Kayla Harrison Details Neck Surgery Before Amanda Nunes Fight

Kayla Harrison says five herniated discs in her neck nearly ended her career before she could get her rematch opportunity against Amanda Nunes, revealing that nerve damage from the injury left her temporarily unable to feel three fingers on her right arm.

Harrison defends her UFC women's bantamweight title against Nunes in the co-main event of UFC 334 next month, a fight that was originally supposed to happen earlier this year before the injury forced her to undergo neck surgery and pushed the bout back.

What injury forced Kayla Harrison out of the original fight?

Kayla Harrison has dealt with five herniated discs for years, managing the condition with stem cell treatments, anti-inflammatories, pain medication, muscle relaxers and physical therapy rather than surgery. That maintenance plan broke down in December, when she began losing feeling in three fingers on her right arm and experiencing what she described as lightning bolt sensations down her limb. An MRI showed the last two of the five herniated discs were completely blocking a nerve, leaving surgery as the only option.

The recovery was brutal by her own account. Harrison spent eight weeks in a neck brace, barred from lifting more than 20 pounds, a jarring reset for a two-time Olympic gold medalist who was training at full tilt for the biggest fight of her career. She said the nerve pain disappeared almost immediately after surgery, but rebuilding strength and getting back into fighting shape took months of grinding, humbling work.

Could the Amanda Nunes fight be Kayla Harrison's last?

Kayla Harrison did not rule out retirement after the Nunes fight, saying she has already accomplished enough in combat sports to walk away with peace of mind. At 36, with the surgery and the layoff behind her, she framed the Nunes fight as a challenge she wants rather than one she needs, calling Nunes a worthy opponent who brings out the best in her. She stopped short of saying it is definitely her final fight, joking that a big enough payday could change her mind, but the tone suggested this is a fight she views as a potential capstone.

Betting Angle

The layoff and neck surgery are the kind of variables sharp bettors will want to weigh heavily once lines move for UFC 334. A former two-division champion coming off a serious cervical injury and an extended period without live sparring is a real question mark against a fighter of Nunes's caliber, even with Harrison insisting she is fully healthy and back to peak form. Expect the market to be sensitive to any fight week news on Harrison's neck mobility, grappling output in camp reports, or signs of ring rust, since historically fighters returning from neck or spine procedures have shown mixed form in their first fight back. Until firmer line movement is available closer to fight week, bettors should treat Harrison's health status as the single biggest swing factor in how this line sets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Kayla Harrison's fight with Amanda Nunes postponed?

Kayla Harrison needed neck surgery after five herniated discs caused nerve damage that left her unable to feel three fingers on her right arm, pushing the fight back to UFC 334.

When does Kayla Harrison fight Amanda Nunes?

Kayla Harrison defends her women's bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes in the co-main event of UFC 334 next month.

Has Kayla Harrison said she might retire after fighting Amanda Nunes?

Kayla Harrison said she is already satisfied with her career and could walk away with peace of mind, suggesting the Nunes fight could be her last though she did not confirm retirement.