Kayla Harrison details neck fusion after five herniated discs threatened Nunes fight

The UFC champion said she could not lift her arm two weeks before she was due to face Amanda Nunes, and called the operation the most serious of four she has had in four years.

Kayla Harrison underwent a two-level neck fusion after the herniated discs in her neck left her unable to lift her arm two weeks before she was due to fight Amanda Nunes, the UFC champion said, as reported by bjjee.com. She has five herniated discs.

The operation threatened her preparation for the 14 November bout. Harrison said she went 10 years without surgery but has had four operations back to back in the last four years, and this one was the most serious.

She said she had done everything she could to make the fight, including monthly stem cell injections and a rigorous course of physiotherapy. By two weeks out, she could not lift her arm, was suffering pain she likened to lightning bolts, and had slept for roughly three hours across five days. The UFC then told her: “Go to New York.” Harrison travelled to New York alone. After reviewing her scans and records, the doctor there said: “Yeah, you need surgery now.” She took an Uber to hospital the following day.

She had hoped for a disc replacement, which she had heard was the better option, but once the surgeon began the operation he told her: “No, you can’t.” Harrison said the early stages of her recovery were rough, and that she reached the point of questioning whether she would ever feel like herself again.

READ NEXTLiz Carmouche shaves her head to make weight for PFL Chicago title rematchRead the next story →

Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing

Add Combat Sports UK as a preferred source on Google