The Anaconda hitmaker took to Twitter.com to lash out at MTV bosses for failing to recognise her work and seemed to take a thinly-veiled swipe at Taylor Swift for her nod in the Video of the Year category for the star-studded Bad Blood promo, sniping, "If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year (sic)."

Swift hit back, writing, "I've done nothing but love & support you. It's unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot..."

After the spat, Mars chose to make light of the fight, which he likened to the World Wresting Entertainment (WWE), formally known as WWF, by attempting to start a Twitter argument with his VMAs rival, British pop star Ed Sheeran, writing, "Yo I want in on this Twitter Beef!! VMAs is the new WWF!! Ed Sheeran F**k You!... (sic)"

Sheeran responded to the message by taking aim at Mars' height, adding, "Bruno Mars any way we do dis you gon' come up short (sic)."

The Uptown Funk hitmaker replied, "That cut deep... U (you) always know how to sheer (sic) me to the core. I can't believe we're Sheeran this in public (sic). How dare u (sic)."

Swift received nine nods and Minaj scored three nominations, while Sheeran landed six and Mars trailed with five.

The VMAs 2015, which will be hosted by Miley Cyrus, are set to take place in Los Angeles next month (Aug15).