Brazilian fighter Amanda Nunes, widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes in the history of mixed martial arts, confirmed that she will not accept an interim belt upon her return to the UFC. The statement comes after the news that the current champion of the bantamweight category, the American Kayla Harrison, had to withdraw from the scheduled fight due to an emergency surgical intervention in the neck region.
The confrontation between the two athletes was originally scheduled to be the main fight of UFC 324, scheduled for this Saturday, but the American’s injury forced a drastic change in the plans of the organization and the Brazilian athlete. Diante of the unforeseen event, Amanda Nunes used his digital platforms to express his frustration with the postponement, highlighting that he was at the peak of his physical and technical preparation for the event.
The athlete highlighted that her training, known in sports circles as camp, had been executed perfectly, covering mental and spiritual aspects essential for a high-level performance. Apesar Despite the evident sadness at the immediate cancellation of the duel, the “Lioness” emphasized that health problems are beyond the athletes’ control and that she is now awaiting an official definition from the organization on the future of the division.
I’m back for more 🦁 Estou back for more.pic.twitter.com/zCVGQ8v6bz
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa)September 13, 2025
Strategic decision about the future of the organization
Amanda Nunes’s stance is clear in rejecting any possibility of facing other opponents who do not hold the official category title or in situations that do not involve the linear belt. The Minas Gerais fighter Norma Dumont even made herself available for an immediate confrontation, but Nunes was emphatic in ruling out the possibility of a temporary title.
- The organization has not yet confirmed whether Harrison’s title will be maintained during the recovery period.
- Norma Dumont and Amanda Serrano expressed public interest in facing the Brazilian on this weekend’s card.
- The Brazilian reiterates that her trajectory and achievements in the sport justify the requirement to compete only for the top position in the category.
The former champion’s position creates a logistical impasse for the UFC, which tends to use interim belts to keep the categories moving when lineal champions are unable to compete. However, Nunes’s determination to wait for Kayla Harrison or a definitive vacancy of the title demonstrates his commitment to the legacy he has built over years of dominance.
Technical preparation and conditions for return
Amanda Nunes detailed that her training routine for this fight was one of the most intense of her recent career, aiming to regain the throne she occupied for so long. The frustration of not competing this Saturday is amplified by the fact that the athlete feels fully capable of regaining her position as number one in the world immediately.
The possibility of facing Amanda Serrano, one of the greatest boxers today who also has experience in MMA, was discussed behind the scenes, but did not progress to formal negotiations. Nunes believes that accepting fights without due sporting value or against opponents who are not part of the top of the MMA rankings at the moment would not be beneficial for his career.
The Brazilian’s former training partner, Kayla Harrison, has not yet announced an official deadline for her return to competitive activities after cervical surgery. Enquanto the recovery takes place, the women’s bantamweight scenario remains in a state of expectation, with the Brazilian closely monitoring every decision taken by the Ultimate board in the Estados Unidos.
Resistance to immediate challenges from other competitors
The line of candidates for a fight with Leoa grew quickly after the announcement of Harrison’s injury, reflecting the prestige that the Brazilian still holds in the international market. Norma Dumont, who has been on a positive streak within the organization, saw the cancellation as a golden opportunity to accelerate his journey towards the title.
Nunes’s refusal to accept these immediate challenges is based on the premise that she has already proven everything she needs to in the octagon and does not need “warm-up” fights or secondary titles. Ela reinforced that, if the UFC chooses to remove Harrison due to the severity of the injury, she would be ready to face any challenger, as long as the belt at stake is the straight one.
Industry experts point out that this Amanda strategy aims to preserve its image and ensure that its return is surrounded by all the grandeur that its history demands. Aceitar a fight against a lesser opponent or without an official title could, in the view of the athlete’s team, reduce the impact of her triumphant return to the sport that she helped to popularize globally.
Physical and mental stability during the waiting period
During the video published on her social networks, the athlete made a point of reassuring her fans about her emotional state, stating that, despite the momentary sadness, she remains focused on her goals. The maturity achieved after years of high-level competitions allows Amanda to deal with last-minute cancellations with a more analytical and less impulsive perspective.
The Amanda routine must be readjusted to maintain the physical conditioning achieved, without however reaching the level of exhaustion that a full training camp requires. Essa maintenance is essential so that, as soon as a new date is established or the title is declared vacant, she can resume maximum training intensity in a short space of time.
The support of the fans and the repercussion of his words show that the public understands his demand for a real belt, reinforcing his status as a living legend of the sport. Expectations now revolve around the next statement by Dana White, president of the organization, who will have to arbitrate this conflict of interests between the fighter’s wishes and the need to move the card of future events.
Impact on the women’s bantamweight category
The bantamweight division, which has historically been dominated by the Brazilian, is experiencing a moment of transition and uncertainty with the current medical situation of the American champion. The absence of a title fight at UFC 324 removes one of the event’s main attractions for the Brazilian and international public that follows women’s MMA.
- The absence of an official title fight could slow down the growth of the category’s visibility in the short term.
- Other athletes in the top 5 may be forced to perform elimination fights while the impasse between Nunes and the organization persists.
- The betting and sponsorship market awaits definitions to recalculate the risks and investments surrounding the next title defense.
Amanda Nunes’s decision not to fight for an interim title also serves as a message to the new generation of fighters about the value of standing firm in their professional principles. Mesmo with the commercial pressure for the show to continue, Leoa chose to value its champion lineage, waiting for the ideal circumstances for its definitive return.
Considerations regarding injury to Kayla Harrison
The neck surgery faced by Kayla Harrison is considered a delicate procedure for any contact sports athlete, requiring absolute caution when returning to training. The severity of the injury is still kept relatively confidential by his medical team, but it is known that cervical problems can sideline competitors for months or even years.
Nunes deeply regretted the situation of her rival, with whom she shares a history of training in elite gyms at Flórida, demonstrating professional respect despite the competitive rivalry. Esse respect, however, does not diminish the Brazilian’s desire to regain the belt, whether facing a recovered Harrison or another opponent in a fight for the vacant title.
The ideal scenario for the organization would be a quick return of Harrison to hold the long-awaited “super-confrontation” against Nunes, which promises to be one of the biggest audiences in the history of women’s MMA. However, the UFC now needs to plan contingencies to ensure that the category does not stagnate if the American’s recovery extends beyond what promoters expected.
