‘Absolutely brutal’ – Kayla Harrison prompts fan concern as she looks visibly exhausted ahead of gruelling UFC 324 weight cut

MMA fans are again questioning the ‘risks’ of Kayla Harrison’s weight cut as the UFC champion prepares to face Amanda Nunes.

Harrison makes the first defence of her bantamweight title reign against the returning Nunes in the co-main event of UFC 324 in less than three weeks.

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The 35-year-old usually walks around at 160-165lbs, but must cut down to the championship weight of 135lbs for her Las Vegas bout.

Harrison had fans worried in the build-up to her last fight – a dominant submission win over Julianna Pena at UFC 316 in July to win her first title in Dana White‘s promotion – as she boasted a skeletal appearance making weight.

And those same questions have been raised once again as the two-time Olympic gold medallist shared footage of her preparations ahead of the first UFC card of 2026.

Kayla Harrison’s sauna footage causes similar fan concern

Harrison recorded herself in a sauna, looking motivated yet exhausted at the same time, and fans believe she may have already started her weight cut.

Most fighters wait until fight week to start cutting weight, but the UFC women’s bantamweight champion may begin the process earlier due to her size and large frame.

Responding to the video on X, one fan said: “Her weight cuts look absolutely brutal.”

Another added: “Look how hollowed her eye area is already.”

A third wrote: “How does she cut down to 135? It is illegal and bad for athletes’ health. She shouldn’t take these risks.”

While a fourth responded: “There is a good possibility she cuts more weight than any other fighter on the roster. Before she came to the UFC, I dragged her for calling UFC fighters out because I said she could never make the weight. Mad respect.”

Others labelled the weight-cutting process ‘ridiculous’ while some wondered how Harrison could keep on putting her body to the limit.

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After defeating former champion Pena at UFC 316, Harrison revealed that she wanted ‘to quit’ when shedding the pounds required to make weight.

“You have to go to a bad place, and the only way through is to surrender and have faith,” she said.

Weight-cutting has always been a controversial subject in the sport, as fans have seen repeatedly the gruelling lengths that athletes go to make weight for a fight.

However, Harrison has proved her professionalism time after time ahead of big fights and will have the right people around her to best prepare for Nunes.

Nunes dominated the UFC in her heyday, becoming the first woman and one of four fighters to be crowned a simultaneous double champion in the promotion when she defeated Cris Cyborg in 2018.

The 37-year-old has defeated the likes of Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko and Holly Holm in her illustrious 18-year career.

But ‘The Lioness’ hasn’t fought since defending the belt currently held by Harrison against Irene Aldana in June 2023.

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Nunes confirmed she would come out of retirement to fight Harrison when the latter defeated Pena in June.

The Brazilian faced off with Harrison in the octagon, saying she was ‘more than happy’ to reverse her retirement to throw down with the champion.

UFC CEO Dana White called the Las Vegas co-main event ‘definitely the biggest women’s fight ever’ with Harrison and Nunes set to fight before Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett conclude a stacked card.

Rumours have circulated that White is lining up Harrison and Nunes to contest a rematch at UFC White House in June, depending on how the fight goes.