Julianna Pena recently made some interesting comments about Kayla Harrison. The inactive women’s bantamweight accused Harrison of using performance-enhancing drugs. This urged a prompt response from the new UFC contender on X.
Julianna Pena recently sat down for a conversation with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. During their discussion, Pena commented on Kayla Harrison who secured an impressive win in her debut fight at UFC 300. While expressing her thoughts on Harrison probably being in line for the bantamweight throne, the former champion casually claimed that the 17-1 contender had a troubled past of using PEDs. Harrison took offense to this and responded on X.
I have been tested by USADA since I was 12 years old. You will find every excuse in the world not to fight me, and the only shot in the a*s people need around you is anti-nausea medication.
Kayla Harrison wrote on X
Pena’s ground for the accusation was that back at International Fight Week, Kayla Harrison did not show up for the anti-doping programme. The former champion claimed that while the new UFC contender may not be on drugs now, she definitely used them in the past.
I have been tested by USADA since I was 12 years old. 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. https://t.co/rjEuoOBjVr
— Kayla Harrison Official (@KaylaH) July 15, 2024
As for contesting for the bantamweight title, Pena believes she is still a contender for the belt even though she has not fought in almost two years. Her last fight was her first title defense as champion at UFC 277. After winning the belt off of Amanda Nunes, they fought again and Pena lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Why was Kayla Harrison tested by USADA at the age of 12?
Kayla Harrison’s claim of being tested by USADA at 12 caught the attention of many people on the internet. Why was she subjected to USADA testing at such a young age? A fan questioned her about this on X.
Kayla Harrison was a talented judoka from a very young age (Image via Imago)Harrison responded, revealing that she was in the top 5 on the national roster for USA judo in the 48kg division. Harrison started training in judo at the age of six under her mother, who was a black belt in judo. She later trained with renowned judo coach Jimmy Pedro.
Because I was top 5 on the national roster for USA judo in the 48kg division at 12.
Kayla Harrison responded
Because I was top 5 on the national roster for USA judo in the 48kg division at 12.
— Kayla Harrison Official (@KaylaH) July 15, 2024
By the age of 15, Harrison had won two national championships in the United States. In 2010, Harrison won the gold medal in the 78 kg (middleweight) category at the World Judo Championships in Tokyo. This victory made her the first American woman to win a world judo championship in 26 years. Harrison won the gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics women’s 78 kg judo category. She successfully defended her title in 2016, winning another gold medal in the same weight category. After her success in the 2016 Olympics, Harrison retired from competitive judo.
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