UFC 324 took a major hit when bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison was forced to withdraw from her scheduled fight with Amanda Nunes due to injury. Harrison, who won the UFC women’s bantamweight title at UFC 316 last year, suffered a neck injury in camp that required surgery.
Harrison’s withdrawal marked the first time in her career that she had to withdraw from a scheduled fight. She signed with the UFC in 2024 after a long, decorated tenure in the Professional Fighters’ League.
Some fans questioned the severity of Harrison’s injury and withdrawal from UFC 324, but one of her longtime allies assured fans that surgery was necessary not only to fight again, but to live a sustainable life.
Ali Abdelaziz: Kayla Harrison’s neck injury could have been crippling
In a recent interview with Submission radioprovided Harrison’s longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz with worrying insight into the extent of the UFC champion’s injury.
“She couldn’t lift her arm. She literally went and got a shot, a whole bunch of medications, anti-inflammatory, nothing helped,” Abdelaziz said of Harrison’s injury.
“The UFC flew her to New York and the doctors said she needs surgery immediately because if she doesn’t get surgery it could paralyze her.”
Abdelaziz was then asked if Harrison might be fully reinstated by the UFC’s upcoming card at the White House, and whether or not that would make sense for a return date.
“Nothing is impossible for this young lady,” Abdelaziz admitted of Harrison’s plans.
“She’s so driven, so disciplined and so motivated. Ultimately, we can’t go against the science, but this is the goal. This is the perfect scenario. This is what we want… When she’s 80-70 [percent]she will fight.” (h/t Bloody elbow)
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