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.
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"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.
