Julianna Peña ignited controversy by questioning Kayla Harrison’s physique before their UFC 316 title bout. The bantamweight champion suggested Harrison may have used steroids to achieve her muscular build.
Peña, a two-time UFC champion, holds a 12-5 MMA record with eight octagon victories. She stunned the world by submitting Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 in 2021 and reclaimed the belt against Raquel Pennington in October 2024.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani on May 6, 2025, Peña shared her suspicions.
She said, “I cannot confirm 110 percent whether she is or is not on PEDs, but I will say that back then in the Olympics, she looked like a girl, very feminine, and now she looks super juicy and cut up. Like, somebody give that girl a Band-Aid because she’s cut. It doesn’t just happen overnight just because you touched the weights a little bit.” Her words drew widespread attention.
Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, boasts an 18-1 MMA record. She dominated the PFL lightweight division and went 2-0 in the UFC with wins over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira.
The UFC 316 co-main event on June 7, 2025, in Newark pits Peña against Harrison. Harrison, a -600 favorite, aims to claim the 135-pound belt, while Peña, at +450, seeks to defy oddsmakers again.
Peña’s accusations stem from Harrison’s chiseled frame, which she attributes to more than training. Harrison, who competed at 165 pounds in PFL, called cutting to bantamweight “torture” but made weight for both UFC bouts.
Harrison has never failed a drug test in her PFL or UFC career. The UFC’s anti-doping program, now run by Drug Free Sport International, tests fighters year-round, yet Peña doubts its rigor.
Peña also labeled Harrison a “weight bully” for dropping from lightweight to bantamweight. She previously accused Harrison of dodging Cris Cyborg in PFL, escalating their rivalry.
Peña’s Claims Highlight Fight Fairness Concerns
Peña doubled down, demanding a level playing field.
She stated, “So, I want to say what everybody’s thinking on their minds, which is that, of course, she at some point was on steroids and hopefully she cycles off of them before June 7, makes the weight, and pisses clean – because that’s what I’m going to be doing and I want this fight to be as fair a fight as possible, minus her being a weight bully and cutting the 50 pounds in order to make the weight class.” Her remarks fueled scrutiny.
Julianna Peña on if Kayla Harrison is on PEDs: Back then in the Olympics she looked, you know, like a girl, very feminine and now she looks super juicy and, like, cut up. #HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/DOSKKfVKbk
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 6, 2025
Harrison remained unfazed, focusing on her preparation. She told MMA Junkie her judo background and striking evolution make her ready for Peña’s gritty style.
Dana White dismissed Peña’s allegations as promotional antics, urging focus on the bout. Ailín Pérez predicted Harrison would dominate, citing Peña’s lack of technique.
Social media posts criticized Peña’s comments, with some calling her “unlikeable” for baseless claims. One user wrote, “Pena, ‘blah blah blah,’ so unlikeable,” reflecting sentiment against her.
Peña’s history of provocation includes trash-talking Nunes and accusing Harrison of UFC favoritism. Her upset over Nunes in 2021 proved she thrives as an underdog.
Harrison’s clean record contrasts with past MMA PED scandals, like Jon Jones’s 2016 suspension. The UFC’s testing, stricter since USADA’s 2015 partnership, found no violations for Harrison.
Amanda Nunes, who retired in 2023, eyes a return against Harrison if she wins at UFC 316. Nunes, at the UFC 316 presser, nodded when asked about facing the victor.
Pérez told Hablemos MMA that Harrison’s grappling would overwhelm Peña. She said Peña relies on toughness but lacks polish, favoring Harrison’s versatility.
Peña’s claims have amplified interest in UFC 316, set for June 7 at Prudential Center. The co-main event joins Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley in a stacked card.
