Full Breakdown
Nunes Declines Interim Title Fight Offer Amidst Harrison Withdrawal
4/24/2026, 10:44:28 PM
Background & Context
The originally scheduled UFC 324 bout between two-division former champion Amanda Nunes and current bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison was set for Jan. 24. Harrison withdrew after a neck injury required surgery. Nunes, who retired in June 2023 following a decision win over Irene Aldana, announced a comeback and said she would only return to face Harrison. UFC president Dana White later confirmed that the promotion intends to rebook the fight in 2026.
Core Event: Nunes Rejects Interim Title Fight
After Harrison’s withdrawal, Norma Dumont offered to step in on ten days’ notice for an interim belt. Nunes declined, stating she only fights for the “real belt” and that an interim championship “doesn’t exist for me.”
Official Statements & Responses
- Amanda Nunes: Emphasized she will only compete for the undisputed title, rejecting the notion of an interim championship.
- Dana White: Confirmed plans to rebook the Nunes-Harrison bout for 2026, indicating the promotion’s intent to keep the matchup as the division’s marquee fight.
Impact on Bantamweight Division
Nunes’s refusal to accept an interim fight leaves the title picture unresolved, potentially delaying a clear champion and affecting contender opportunities.
Criticism & Opposition
Norma Dumont argues Nunes’s refusal reflects a fear of losing to a lower-ranked opponent and a desire to protect the high-profile Harrison matchup.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was a bit frustrating for me. First because I accepted the fight on 10 days’ notice and she didn’t want it, saying she wanted the undisputed belt.” — Norma Dumont, Bantamweight contender
- “It’s frustrating because if she came back just for Kayla, then I imagine she’ll retire after that fight. I feel like there might be some fear of losing. For example, I hear a lot of people telling me, ‘You’re going to fight the No. 11, it’s a very risky fight.’ Man, only people who don’t trust their hands are afraid of risk.” — Norma Dumont
- “The feeling I get is, ‘I don’t want to fight Norma because it’s a tough fight. If I lose, I lose the big fight with Kayla.’ I get it, it’s business. But to me, it feels like there’s some fear of losing to me. That’s how I see it.” — Norma Dumont
- “I think that would’ve even been good for her because she’d have come back after three years out, gotten a fight in, and then fought Kayla at the end of the year.” — Norma Dumont
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the year the Nunes-Harrison fight is slated to be rescheduled (some cite 2024, others 2026). The exact timeline for a potential interim title bout remains unclear, with no official UFC confirmation beyond Nunes’s personal stance. No direct comment from Kayla Harrison regarding the postponement appears in the sources.
What’s Next
Dumont will compete at UFC Vegas 116; a victory could strengthen her case for a title shot. The UFC’s next move on the bantamweight championship hinges on Harrison’s recovery and Nunes’s willingness to accept an opponent other than Harrison.
