Julianna Pena has continued her Word War for her first Bantamweight defending defense.
There seems to be no bad blood between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley on the way to the UFC 316 main event on 7 June.
The same cannot be said for the Co-Main event where Pena Kayla encounters Harrison in a huge fight for the 135 pound division.
Although it is the shadow of Amanda Nunes who is great about this coming title fight, it is another former Bantam weight champion that has recently been brought into conversation between the two rivals.
There have been similarities between Harrison and Ronda Rousey for some time, but the former PFL star wanted to draw a line under this after a back and forth with her next opponent.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Julianna Pena defends Ronda Rousey after Kayla Harrison emphasizes her judo success
Kayla Harrison has built a pro-record of 18-1 while she continues to develop as a mixed martial artist, but it is still her judo background that is her strongest skills.
This of course lends itself to comparisons with Ronda Rousey, who used her judo specialty and aggressive style to become a superstar for the UFC and to complete opponents in record time.
Harrison and Julianna Pena recently participated in an interview for ESPN MMA, where they exchanged comments, stating the champion that her opponent could not store her early.
“You are not Ronda Rousey, you guarantee that you will not take me over in 20 seconds.”
Ronda Rousey responds after beating Cat Zingano. Credit: Harry How/Getty Images
Harrison shot back by emphasizing her performance compared to that of Rousey.
While 'Rowdy' collected a bronze medal for Judo during the 2008 Olympic Games, Harrison would succeed her by winning back-to-back gold medals in 2012 and 2016.
“First of all, I am not Ronda because Ronda could not win Olympic gold medal … She doesn't hold a candle in my career and it doesn't matter because it is not about that.”
Pena came to Rousey's defense when he stated that although Harrison may have reached more in judo, she should not achieve the same level of success in MMA.
“She hit you! She beat you, isn't it? Was it not your manager who literally said that you would surpass all the performance of Ronda? You have not been able to do that yet.”
Julianna Pena believes that her time in the UFC outweighs the success of Kayla Harrison elsewhere
Together with her time in the PFL where she achieved great success, Kayla Harrison believes that her experience as an Olympic Judoka helps her to prepare for her first five -round fight in the UFC.
Julianna Pena, on the other hand, has faith in her capacities because of the time she spent in the promotion and fights the top names in her division.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Pena went so far to say that in her opinion she had the most difficult path to UFC Gold because she was confronted with Amanda Nunes, Valentina Shevchenko and Raquel Pennington during her time on the Roster.
“I believe I have had the most difficult way to get the championship belt I have taken over. Nobody has had a more difficult way than I have had to get these championship belts and I think that makes it a difference. I have fought under the UFC belt since 2013 and I have fought the top of the top.”