Dana White Reveals Plan for ‘Greatest Female Fight’ After UFC 324 Injury Blow for Kayla Harrison

UFC CEO Dana White promises to make Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes superfight in 2026 after UFC 324 disappointment.

Dana White Reveals Plan for ‘Greatest Female Fight’ After UFC 324 Injury Blow for Kayla Harrison

Dana White talks about Amanda Nunes vs Kayla Harrison (via SPORTBible, MMA Mania)

CEO Dana White has directed UFC matchmaking decisions throughout his tenure as head honcho. He has consistently pushed for superfights designed to elevate divisions and perform strongly with fans. That approach shaped expectations for women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison‘s fight against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324. Despite the postponement, White still maintains the matchup as a priority.

Harrison made an immediate impact in the UFC following her reign as PFL champion. She defeated longtime veteran Holly Holm in her UFC debut at UFC 300, demonstrating her elite grappling skills. Her rapid success earned a title shot against Julianna Peña at UFC 316, where she showcased precise technique and control to capture the belt via Kimura submission, cementing her status at the top.

At UFC 324, Harrison was set to face Nunes, widely regarded as one of the greatest champions in women’s MMA. Nunes had previously retired as a champion in 2023, making the matchup highly anticipated. However, Harrison’s neck injury forced a postponement, raising questions about the fight’s future. White was recently asked about the bout and its significance for the UFC’s scheduling plans.

This fight is the greatest female fight ever. You can’t just throw somebody else in there. You wait until she’s ready and you do the fight properly. Amanda is so awesome to work with and I have had a great relationship with her since day one. It’s looking like Kayla’s surgery went well and she will be able to make a full recovery and we should be able to do the fight this year.

Dana White via TMZ Sports

Harrison has faced multiple health scares and injuries throughout her UFC career. She was hospitalized due to an undisclosed issue before her fight against Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307. Her recent neck injury forced the postponement of UFC 324, delaying one of women’s MMA’s most anticipated bouts. However, medical reports have confirmed the injury could have left her paralyzed if not treated immediately.

White has consistently shown appreciation for Harrison’s career and overall accomplishments in MMA. He has repeatedly highlighted how impressive her physique and athleticism are at the elite level. White has also defended Harrison publicly during key moments of her career transitions. He previously criticized PFL founder Donn Davis for mistreating the Olympic veteran during her run with the organization.

Dana White may be aiming to stage Kayla Harrison versus Amanda Nunes at the UFC White House event scheduled for June 2026. The UFC currently lacks American champions capable of headlining a card of that symbolic magnitude. Harrison remains the only active American champion on the roster at this time. That circumstance places her at the center of planning for the landmark event.

Dana White shuts down political backlash for UFC White House

The UFC has announced plans for a historic event on the South Lawn of the White House in June 2026 as part of the America250 celebration. Both UFC CEO Dana White and US President Donald Trump are heavily involved with the planning and development of the event. UFC leadership responded to criticism that staging a fight card at the nation’s executive residence blurs the line between sports and politics.

Dana White
Dana White (via The US Sun)

Trump has publicly engaged with the UFC for many years and supported White during periods when several states rejected MMA. His connection with the organization spans multiple administrations and political cycles. Trump regularly attended high-profile UFC events both before and after holding office. That history led White to dismiss criticism that the June 14 event is a political affair.

I don’t know how it would be too political other than it’s at the White House. If you look back throughout history, I think George Bush was a big baseball fan, Obama was an NBA fan, and Trump is a UFC fan. I don’t think that any of those guys being fans made any sport too political.

Dana White via Business

The UFC CEO also revealed that they will begin matchmaking for the event immediately following UFC 324. He stated that planning and bout agreements are expected to be finalized by the second week of February. The timeline allows the promotion to assemble a complete card well in advance. Dana White has indicated the June 14 event is intended to be a major spectacle for the organization.

Also Read: