Julianna Pena has publicly accused Kayla Harrison of using steroids, potentially provoked by Harrison`s notably powerful physical build. However, according to Mike Brown, Harrison`s long-standing head coach at American Top Team, the two-time Olympic gold medalist achieved her impressive physique through natural means, not performance-enhancing drugs.
Pena specifically alleged that Harrison, who holds a top ranking in the bantamweight division, was “on steroids” and expressed hope she would discontinue their use before their co-main event bout at UFC 316, scheduled for June 7th.
Despite Kayla Harrison having a flawless record with zero failed drug tests throughout her career, Pena continued to make these claims. Coach Brown was quick to shut down the accusations.
“I can understand why she might think that; Kayla doesn`t have a typical appearance,” Brown told MMA Fighting. “But the reality is, some individuals are physically exceptional. They possess extraordinary builds. These rare individuals, these `freaks` of nature, are often the ones who rise to prominence in competitive sports.”
He elaborated, “You see people with remarkable physical attributes across the board. Some are incredibly strong, others possess amazing speed, quickness, or endurance. Just because someone isn`t built like the average person doesn`t mean they are cheating.”
Pena contrasted Harrison`s appearance, claiming she looked like “a girl” and was “very feminine” during her Olympic judo career, but now appears “super juicy and cut up” since transitioning to MMA.
However, Pena overlooked a significant fact: Harrison won her Olympic championships competing at 78 kilograms (roughly 172 pounds) and had to undergo immediate weigh-ins on competition day, unlike MMA fighters. Upon moving to professional fighting, Harrison initially competed at 155 pounds and has since dropped further to the 135-pound bantamweight limit for the UFC.
Operating and competing at a significantly lower body weight compared to her Olympic days naturally leads to a different physical look and composition. Brown added that while the “eye test” can sometimes indicate performance-enhancing drug use through rapid body transformations, he sees stability in Harrison`s physique.
“For me, a major sign of a clean athlete is consistency,” Brown explained. “Their body shape remains largely the same over extended periods. Kayla is always like that. She doesn`t change drastically, aside from weight cuts, of course. Someone using illegal substances often shows quick shifts – their body can look noticeably different from one week to the next, particularly with things like testosterone.”
He stated emphatically, “No, she is entirely clean. Always has been, always will be. She simply doesn`t require them. She is an elite athlete, truly extraordinary – a `freak` even among other top athletes. She is not a normal competitor by any standard.”
Given Harrison`s rare physical gifts, Brown acknowledges that some people may find it hard to believe that her impressive physique is purely the result of natural talent and hard work. Brown vouches for the intense effort and dedication Harrison demonstrates daily, confirming she takes no shortcuts.
Julianna Pena may struggle to accept it, but Brown believes the simple reality is that she is built differently than Kayla Harrison, which can be a difficult truth to confront.
“These types of individuals exist,” Brown said, referring to physically exceptional athletes like Harrison. “People tend to compare others based on their own build and background. But that`s not the upper limit of human capability. There are people out there who are genuinely remarkable.”
He drew parallels to illustrate his point: “Just as in basketball you have athletes who are 7`6″ or 7`7″, you find athletes with unbelievable muscle mass or conditioning that seems otherworldly. Simply because *you* can`t achieve something doesn`t mean someone else is incapable of it.”
