UFC women's bantamweight champion Julianna Pena claimed the ongoing conronavirus pandemic is a 'money grab' during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience.
Comedian and UFC commentator Rogan has drawn criticism in recent weeks for allowing Covid-19 conspiracy theorists on his podcast.
Pena sat down with Rogan on Thursday and told him she'd listened to the episodes featuring Dr. Robert Malone and Peter McCullough, admitting she agreed with a lot of their points.
"I listened to (your) podcast with the two doctors, back-to-back - Robert Malone and (Peter McCullough). I mean, that was eye-opening for me," the 32-year-old said.
"I’m a massive conspiracy theorist on this whole thing, and I have been since the very beginning. I’m like, ‘This is just a money grab.
"This is - they’re trying to kill us, and this is ridiculous.'"
Rogan pushed back against Pena's claims that they're trying to 'kill us' and said his issues stem from one narrative ruling above all else.
He responded: "Whoa. I mean, I don’t think they’re trying to kill us. "I think there’s a lot of confusion as far as what works and what doesn’t work…
"Reality is, there’s a lot of people scared and a lot of confusion, and there’s also a lot of people that don’t want people discussing things. They only want one narrative, and that’s where it becomes a problem for me."
Pena defeated Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 last month to end Nunes' five-year reign as champion in a massive upset.
She tested positive for Covid a month before the fight and didn't reveal if she has been vaccinated or not.
Pena defended Rogan earlier this week before her appearance on the podcast, stating she didn't understand why the 54-year-old got so much hate.
Singer Neil Young has pulled all of his music from Spotify in protest against their $100 million partnership with Rogan.
"I find him [Rogan] very interesting." Pena told the New York Post.
"I actually find a lot of what he says to be like-minded with the way that I feel.
"Not all things, obviously. I listen to the podcast, but it’s not like I’m waiting for him to say something people disagree with him."
Daniel Marland