Tag: Julianna Pena

BREAKING: Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr. Light Heavyweight Title Match – UFC 307 Fights Revealed

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. UFC 307UFC president Dana White just made a series of official announcements regarding UFC 307, including Alex Pereira vs. Khalil…

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. UFC 307

UFC president Dana White just made a series of official announcements regarding UFC 307, including Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. with light heavyweight crown on the line.

UFC 307

UFC 307 will be hosted at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Poatan’ Alex Pereira, the popular Brazilian fan-favorite will again fight in a UFC title match. He has gone a perfect 4-0 in the light heavyweight division defeating former title-holders Jan B?achowicz, Jamahal Hill, and Ji?í Procházka twice. ‘Poatan’ won and has defended his throne all by way of knockout.

On October 5, he will face the US-born Khalil Rountree Jr. who is on a five-fight win streak in the light heavyweight division. Most notably, he is coming off an impressive knockout win over former title contender Anthony Smith. The US-born athlete will look to use his Muay Thai to stop the division king.

Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña

Also featured at UFC 307, Raquel Pennington will put her recently won bantamweight title on the line against the former division champion Julianna Peña. Pennington is currently on a six-fight win streak. “The Venezuelan Vixen” will look to recapture her former gold.

Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira

As we had previously reported for UFC 307, the October 5 event will also see Olympic medalist Kayla Harrison face the top-ranked Ketlen Vieira, likely for a number one contender slot.

UFC 307 Kayla
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 13: Kayla Harrison reacts to the end of the round in a bantamweight fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Aljamain Sterling vs. Movsar Evloev

UFC 307 will also host the unbeaten grappling machine Movsar Evloev will look to continue his attack on the featherweight division against Aljamain Sterling. “Funk Master” is a former title contender at bantamweight who is now competing at featherweight, and just coming off of a win against Calvin Kattar.

The fight card will also see Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista, Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland, and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley. UFC 307 in Salt Lake City booked for October 5 is full of great matchups.

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree, More Bouts Announced for UFC 307 Fight Card

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of UFC 307 on Oct. 5. Dana White announced the…

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of UFC 307 on Oct. 5. Dana White announced the…

Kayla Harrison responds to Julianna Pena’s PED accusations “Excuse for when I kick her ass.”

Kayla Harrison UFC Julianna PeñaKayla Harrison was twelve years old the first time she was tested for performance-enhancing drugs by USADA. She was…

Kayla Harrison UFC Julianna Peña

Kayla Harrison was twelve years old the first time she was tested for performance-enhancing drugs by USADA. She was ranked in the top five nationally in Judo and has been tested frequently ever since. This includes multiple Olympic runs plus fighting in the UFC. The US-born athlete did not take kindly to Julianna Pena’s PED accusations.

Kayla Harrison and Julianna Pena

Kayla Harrison is a multi-time Olympic medalist representing the USA, competing in Judo all around the world. Since switching to MMA she earned the PFL MMA tournament title in two separate years. Earlier in 2024, the American athlete signed with the UFC and had an impressive win over the former champion Holly Holm.

Julianna Pena is a former division champion who had an upset victory over all-time great Amanda Nunes. “The Venezuelan Vixen” would later lose her title in a rematch with Nunes.

Brazil’s Nunes then retired with the division championship. This title is now held by the US-born Raquel Pennington who defeated Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant throne. But fans are looking for a showdown between the former champion and the current star of the division, a match between Julianna Pena and the 34-year-old Kayla Harrison. These two have been trash-talking back and forth for some time now.

Pena, in an interview with Ariel Helwani last week, said, “Stay off the needle, bro… No question.” Accusing Kayla Harrison of being on PED’s.

In response, while speaking on The MMA Hour, Harrison said, “Haters gonna hate, dude. It pisses me off. Never once have I tested positive ever in the history of my very long drug-testing career. Don’t f*cking say things like if you don’t have hard evidence… She’s building in an excuse for when I kick her ass.” She added, “I’ve never failed a single test,” in her lifelong athletic career.

Harrison does not care about facing Pena, instead, she wants to face whoever has the belt, whether it is Pena or Pennington. Her eyes are on UFC gold.

Julianna Peña Explains Why She’ll Call Out Amanda Nunes Instead Of Kayla Harrison If She Regains UFC Bantamweight Title 

Should she become a two-time UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Julianna Peña plans to settle some unfinished business. Peña hasn’t competed in almost two years, having not made the walk since losing the 135-pound strap in a rematch with Amanda Nunes at UFC 277 in Dallas, Texas, back in the summer of 2022. The result brought […]

Continue Reading Julianna Peña Explains Why She’ll Call Out Amanda Nunes Instead Of Kayla Harrison If She Regains UFC Bantamweight Title  at MMA News.

Should she become a two-time UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Julianna Peña plans to settle some unfinished business.

Peña hasn’t competed in almost two years, having not made the walk since losing the 135-pound strap in a rematch with Amanda Nunes at UFC 277 in Dallas, Texas, back in the summer of 2022.

The result brought “The Venezuelan Vixen’s” reign to a sudden halt six months on from her memorable and shocking submission of the “Lioness.”

While the pair were set to complete their trilogy last June in Canada, an injury suffered by Peña in training forced her out. In her place stepped Irene Aldana on short notice, and after outpointing the Mexican at UFC 289, Nunes laid down her two belts and announced her retirement.

A bemused Peña booed from cageside and has since expressed confidence that the Brazilian hasn’t permanently hung up the gloves. And she expects to prove as much by drawing Nunes back to the cage after bringing Raquel Pennington’s divisional rule to a close later this year…

Peña: Nunes Fight Would Be The ‘Biggest Trilogy In Women’s Combat Sports’

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Peña looked ahead to her long-awaited return to action and revealed what she hopes will follow a planned second title crowning.

While two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champ Kayla Harrison made a splash in her Octagon debut by getting the better of Holly Holm, “The Venezuelan Vixen” has other plans when it comes to her first defense should she unseat Pennington.

“I still feel like the spidey senses and all that, that she (Nunes) will come back, and it’s just a matter of time before she does,” Peña said. “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. I want to fight Raquel, I want my belt back, I’m getting my belt back. After that, I will absolutely be calling out Amanda, and I believe that she absolutely will come back because it’s too big of a fight for her.

“Of course, (I’ll call out Nunes, not Harrison). That’s like if I win the belt, I should also call out Ronda (Rousey), you know what I mean? Ronda has been escaping these fights with me for years. … Those are fights that I want. I want big fights, I want big money fights,” Peña continued, before being asked if she sees the Nunes trilogy as bigger than a Harrison bout. “Absolutely. We’re 1-1, unfinished business. … This would be the biggest trilogy in women’s combat sports.”

Harrison took note of those remarks and others that saw Peña accuse her of past PED use during the conversation with Helwani, responding with a fiery message toward “The Venezuelan Vixen” on social media.

While the stage has long been set for a rivalry between Peña and Harrison even before the latter’s UFC signing, it would appear that the former bantamweight queen has no immediate plans to settle it inside the Octagon.

Continue Reading Julianna Peña Explains Why She’ll Call Out Amanda Nunes Instead Of Kayla Harrison If She Regains UFC Bantamweight Title  at MMA News.

Julianna Pena accuses bitter UFC rival Kayla Harrison of PED use: ‘Put down the needle, bro’

Julianna Pena accuses Kayla Harrison of PED use stay off the needle bro UFCFormer undisputed bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena has claimed that while maybe not currently – recent Octagon debutante, Kayla Harrison…

Julianna Pena accuses Kayla Harrison of PED use stay off the needle bro UFC

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena has claimed that while maybe not currently – recent Octagon debutante, Kayla Harrison most definitely utilized performance enhancing drugs during her early career, leading to a fiery response from the former PFL star.

Pena, the current number one ranked bantamweight challenger, is widely expected to make her return at UFC 307 in October, challenging for Octagon gold once again in a title fight against former TUF stablemate, Raquel Pennington in Utah.

Julianna Pena

Sidelined since July of 2022, Pena most recently suffered a one-sided unanimous decision loss to former duel-weight champion, Amanda Nunes in the pair’s title fight rematch, dropping her championship as a result.

As for Harrison, the former two-time PFL tournament victor and two-time Olympic gold medal winner, made her long-anticipated debut in the promotion at UFC 300, taking out common-foe, former titleholder, Holly Holm with a dominant second round rear-naked choke win.

Julianna Peña confirms she will fight for UFC bantamweight title in return from injury
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Julianna Pena accuses Kayla Harrison of PED use

And while gearing up for an expected title charge in the near future, Harrison looks set to miss out on a pursuit of the crown to Washington native, Pena – who pointed some rather fierce accusations in the direction of the veteran overnight.

Kayla Harrison accused of turning down UFC 303 return amid calls for title fight stop running
Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

“Stay off the needle, bro,” Julianna Pena told MMA Fighting of Kayla Harrison. “Maybe not not [is she utilizing performance enhancing drugs] but definitely in hepast. Absolutely. There is no question. I just already have the mindset that people are cheating. Especially from ATT (American Top Team), 100 percent at ATT.”

“When Dan Lambert flew me out there after I won The Ultimate Fighter, they literally told me that all the girls are in the bathroom shooting each other in the ass with the steroids,” Julianna Pena continued. 

Drawing a stern response from recently-minted UFC star, Harrison, the Ohio veteran maintained that since the age of 12, she has ben subject to testing from former UFC partner, the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

“I have been tested by USADA since I was 12 years old,” Kayla Harrison posted in response on her official X account. “You will find every excuse in the world not to fight me, and the only shot in the ass people need around u (sic) is anti-nausea medication.”

Who wins in a future grudge fight: Julianna Pena or Kayla Harrison?

Kayla Harrison Hits Back At Julianna Peña’s PED Accusation: ‘Only Shot In The Ass People Need Around You Is Anti-Nausea Medication’

UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison didn’t take too kindly to some allegations recently made by former champion Julianna Peña. A rivalry has long been brewing between Harrison and Peña, even prior to the former’s successful arrival on MMA’s biggest stage this past April at UFC 300. On the milestone card, the two-time Olympic gold medalist […]

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Hits Back At Julianna Peña’s PED Accusation: ‘Only Shot In The Ass People Need Around You Is Anti-Nausea Medication’ at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison didn’t take too kindly to some allegations recently made by former champion Julianna Peña.

A rivalry has long been brewing between Harrison and Peña, even prior to the former’s successful arrival on MMA’s biggest stage this past April at UFC 300.

On the milestone card, the two-time Olympic gold medalist followed two doses of championship success under the PFL banner with a long-awaited UFC debut. In one of the night’s best performances, Harrison submitted ex-bantamweight queen Holly Holm.

That result left many calling for the Ohio native to receive a quick shot at the gold, but she’ll have to wait her turn while Peña attempts to dethrone Raquel Pennington.

And “The Venezuelan Vixen” was firm in insisting that she’s more deserving than Harrison during a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, and she also made some bold claims about the UFC newcomer and her team.

“Stay off the needle, bro. … Maybe not now,” Peña said when asked if she thinks Harrison is on steroids. “But definitely in the past. Absolutely. There’s no question. … I just already have the mindset that people are cheating. Especially from ATT (American Top Team), 100 percent at ATT.

“When Dan Lambert flew me out there after I won The Ultimate Fighter, they literally told me that all the girls are in the bathroom shooting each other in the ass with the steroids,” Peña added.

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take Harrison long to respond…

Harrison On Peña’s PED Claim: ‘I Have Been Tested By USADA Since I Was 12’

Although Harrison would appear to be waiting in the wings for the winner of Pennington vs. Peña, which is expected to take place at UFC 307 in Utah this October, the challenger has other plans.

“The Venezuelan Vixen” told Helwani that after regaining the 135-pound belt, she plans on calling out former two-division champ Amanda Nunes instead of Harrison.

When responding to and vehemently denying Peña’s PED allegation on X/Twitter, Harrison accused the former titleholder of finding “every excuse in the world” to avoid sharing the Octagon with her.

“I have been tested by USADA since I was 12 years old,” Harrison wrote. “You will find every excuse in the world not to fight me. and the only shot in the ass people need around u is anti-nausea medication.”

It remains to be seen what will lie ahead for Harrison, who has teased a second UFC fight against another contender rather than waiting for a likely title shot down the line.

And the two-time PFL champ has also welcomed a potential clash with the retired Nunes. After the “Lioness” bemoaned her ex-teammate for not calling her out at UFC 300, Harrison has offered to fight the Brazilian while Pennington and Peña settle their grudge later this year.

Continue Reading Kayla Harrison Hits Back At Julianna Peña’s PED Accusation: ‘Only Shot In The Ass People Need Around You Is Anti-Nausea Medication’ at MMA News.