Tag: Kayla Harrison

“Are you kidding me?” Kayla Harrison comments on Jake Paul vs. Alex Pereira

“Are you kidding me?" Kayla Harrison comments on Jake Paul vs. Alex PereiraKayla Harrison isn’t interested in seeing Jake Paul fight — unless it’s against Alex Pereira. ‘The Problem Child’ added…

“Are you kidding me?" Kayla Harrison comments on Jake Paul vs. Alex Pereira

Kayla Harrison isn’t interested in seeing Jake Paul fight — unless it’s against Alex Pereira.

‘The Problem Child’ added another big win to his resume on July 20, scoring a sixth-round TKO against the BKFC’s undisputed ‘King of Violence’ Mike Perry in Tampa, Florida. Immediately following the fight, Paul called for a boxing match with Alex Pereira, the UFC’s reigning light heavyweight world champion.

“Alex Pereira, you said you want to box, I’m the king of this,” Paul shouted from the ring. “Come over, we can make it happen. I want you Alex Pereira. I just beat a BKFC champion. I beat multiple UFC champions. He said he wants to box. Alex Pereira, after Mike Tyson, let’s make it happen.”

Offering her take on the callout during an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, the two-time Olympic gold medalist was all-in on seeing the YouTuber-turned-boxer throw hands with ‘Poatan’ inside the squared circle.

“Are you kidding me? That is a Jake Paul fight I would go to,” Harrison said enthusiastically. “One hook lands … Dude, I grappled with Alex, he’s a strong mother trucker … He’s trying to steal some aura.”

Considering he Facetimed ‘The Problem Child’ while he was still standing in the ring on Saturday night, it certainly seems like Alex Pereira is on board. Now they just need to get Uncle Dana to sign off.

Much easier said than done.

Alex Pereira

Kayla Harrison has nothing but love for jake paul’s next opponent

With his fight against ‘Platinum’ in the books, Jake Paul will now turn his attention toward an anticipated, though somewhat controversial scrap with the baddest man on the planet, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. The two were originally set to square off on Saturday, but a medical emergency in May forced Tyson to take some time away from training.

As a result, their fight was pushed back to November 15. As before, the generational clash will emanate from the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and air live on Netflix.

Jake Paul

Kayla Harrison previously met ‘Iron’ Mike during an appearance on his ‘Hotboxin’ podcast and had nothing, but pleasant things to say about the living legend.

“To spend time and share time with a true … he’s a living legend, it was a humbling experience,” Harrison said in an interview with Insider. “We went pretty deep, which I wasn’t expecting. I learned so much — it was awesome.”

Kayla Harrison and Mike Tyson

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.

B/R Pound-for-Pound UFC Rankings: July 2024

We’ve now passed the halfway point in 2024, and the UFC landscape is already drastically different than it was since the year started. The UFC has promoted…

We’ve now passed the halfway point in 2024, and the UFC landscape is already drastically different than it was since the year started. The UFC has promoted…