Kayla Harrison sees Julianna Peña’s trash talk as a sign of insecurity, dismissing accusations of steroid use and focusing on her upcoming opportunity to win UFC gold at UFC 316.
Kayla Harrison doesn’t hear confidence in Julianna Peña’s trash talk. To her, it sounds more like insecurity.
This Saturday, Peña defends her bantamweight title at UFC 316 in Newark, N.J. It’s Harrison’s first shot at UFC gold, while Peña defends her title for the first time in her second reign.
Peña’s been trashing Harrison for months. Press conferences, media—everywhere. Harrison doesn’t take it personally, though. She tries to see beyond the verbal jabs.
“I think it just screams insecurity,” Harrison told MMA Fighting. “It feels like fear. It’s not personal for me. In the cage, that’s where I’ll do my talking.”
Harrison believes Peña’s trash talk is just part of her personality. “She’s the same with me as she was with Amanda [Nunes]. Always yapping. I just feel bad for her. Sounds like a terrible existence.”
Peña’s even accused Harrison of using steroids. Harrison finds it laughable. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, she’s been tested more than most.
“She’s always throwing spaghetti at the wall,” Harrison said. “Before I signed with the UFC, it was about making weight. Now, I’m a weight bully. The steroids thing? Just funny to me.”
Harrison insists she’s never taken steroids. She’s been tested since middle school. “I’ve probably been tested more than any athlete in the UFC. I know I’m clean, and I work really, really hard.”
Her discipline is unmatched. “I didn’t look like this in judo because I was 170 pounds. I have a great team, and I’m proud of my clean accomplishments.”
Peña regained her title with a close decision over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. She first won it by upsetting Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. Coincidentally, Harrison also won at UFC 307 against Ketlen Vieira.
After a successful PFL run, Harrison made a splash by defeating former UFC champ Holly Holm at UFC 300. Her title shot seemed inevitable.
“I visualize it every night,” Harrison said. “I’ve put in the work, I have the best team. I can’t wait for Dana to wrap that belt around my waist.”
She dreams big. “[The headlines will read] greatest combat athlete of all time.”