In a devastating blow to one of the most anticipated women’s fights in MMA, UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison has withdrawn from her UFC 324 title defense against returning legend Amanda Nunes. Harrison required surgery this week to repair herniated discs in her neck, an injury that will likely sideline her for months.
In the void left by this cancellation, boxing world champion Amanda Serrano has issued an unexpected and audacious challenge, publicly volunteering to step into the Octagon against Nunes.
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(L-R) Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor Getty
(Getty)
Boxing Champion Throws Her Hat in the Ring
The callout came swiftly via a post from her X account, in which she wrote, “If UFC and Amanda Nunes are thinking of a replacement, I would love the challenge as I’m still in fight shape. Hope the champ recovers well.”
Serrano, a future boxing Hall of Famer with titles in seven weight divisions, was quick to clarify in a separate post, “This isn’t to Disrespect Amanda Nunes. I think she’s the Goat of MMA. I also know she has incredible hands & loves to use them.”
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While the idea of a boxing champion entering the UFC on short notice seems unprecedented, Serrano is not a novice to mixed martial arts.
Most Valuable Promotions, the company that manages her fight career and is co-owned by influencer-boxer Jake Paul, posted her credentials on X:
According to the post, she holds an undefeated professional record in MMA, with both of her victories coming by submission. Her last MMA bout was in 2021, but she insists she has maintained the necessary skills.
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She revealed ongoing training, saying, “My nephew Jovan is the captain of his varsity wrestling team, and I train with him a few times a week just to give him extra work. I love kicking, so I never stopped training that either.”
In an interview with TMZ, Serrano emphasized her readiness, saying, “Listen, I’m undefeated. I have three MMA fights. I know a little thing or two about fighting. I just fought on January 3rd, and I was in amazing shape. I’m all in.”
Watch her full TMZ interview here:
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The UFC’s Decision and the Road Ahead
Despite the exciting proposition, the UFC opted not to book a short-notice replacement for Nunes at UFC 324.
The promotion issued a statement on its website confirming the Harrison-Nunes bout is postponed to a later date and promoted the Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong bantamweight fight to the new co-main event slot.
Other UFC contenders, like no. 3 ranked Norma Dumont, also offered to step in via Instagram, though the promotion appears committed to rescheduling the original superfight:
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The reigning bantamweight champion Harrison emotionally addressed her withdrawal in an Instagram video while teary-eyed and wearing a neck brace, apologizing to Nunes with the words, “This is a tough one… Obviously, we’re going to have to reschedule the fight… I’m sorry to Amanda. I was really looking forward to it.”
Watch her full statement here:
While the blockbuster matchup between Harrison and Nunes is on hold, Amanda Serrano’s bold callout is something to behold. Alongside boxers like Oleksandr Usyk and Claressa Shields, Serrano is one of the few people in the sport with the budding credentials and confidence to propose such a challenge to an MMA fighter.
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For now, however, the UFC’s focus is on the recovery of Kayla Harrison and the eventual rebooking of her legacy-defining fight with Nunes. UFC 324 is almost one week away, and Dana White will more than likely not want to deal with the logistical hurdles of signing an active boxer like Serrano to the promotion. However, the image of a boxing legend standing across the cage from the MMA GOAT is still a fantasy matchup that fans may dream about.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
