Kayla Harrison shows neck surgery scar after UFC exit as Amanda Nunes fight plans remain unclear heading into 2026

Kayla Harrison is back in the news, and this time it is not because of a fight inside the cage. Just two weeks after having neck surgery, the MMA star has shown the world a deep scar from the procedure. The update came after Harrison was forced to pull out of her highly talked-about UFC fight against Amanda Nunes due to the injury. On Thursday, American Top Team, the Florida gym where Kayla Harrison trains, shared a photo on social media. The image showed a long scar on Harrison’s neck, making it clear how serious the surgery was. It was the first major update fans had seen since Harrison shared an emotional video after the operation.

In that video, posted on Instagram, Kayla Harrison apologized directly to Amanda Nunes for missing the fight. She also spoke about faith and patience during a very hard moment in her career. According to MMA Junkie, the surgery was not sudden. It was something Harrison had needed for years. Right now, there is no clear return date. Still, people close to her believe this surgery could help her come back stronger than ever.

Kayla Harrison’s long road through pain, surgery, and hope for a strong return

Kayla Harrison’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told MMA Junkie that the neck problem had troubled her for nearly ten years. He explained that Harrison had only “20 percent of the power in her arm because of the neck.” For a professional fighter, that kind of pain can change everything.

Ali Abdelaziz said, “Ten years she had pain. She replaced a disc in her neck. I had the same surgery, and my neck now is stronger than when I was 20 year old.” He added that Harrison had a great doctor and a successful operation. “Kayla is different. She is going to come back with a vengeance like she is the challenger, not the champion,” he said.

Earlier, Kayla Harrison shared her emotions in a video on Instagram. She said, “I do not know God’s plans. I know he knows this is my dream. So, I got to praise him in the mountains and praise him in the valleys.” The words showed how hard it was for her to miss such a big moment.

UFC president Dana White also spoke about her future. According to TMZ Sports, Dana White said the plan is to remake the fight later this year, though no date has been set yet. For now, Kayla Harrison is focused on healing. The scar tells a tough story, but it also marks a fresh start.



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