Raquel Pennington, after nearly six years since her demoralizing loss to Amanda Nunes in her first UFC title appearance, has finally climbed to the top of the mountain. In the co-main event of UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena, Pennington emerged victorious, seizing the UFC’s vacant bantamweight championship. This hard-fought win against Brazilian challenger Mayra Bueno Silva by unanimous decision solidifies Pennington’s place in history as the UFC’s first 135-pound champion since Nunes retired from the sport last year.
Pennington’s journey to the championship has not been an easy one. In her previous battle with Nunes, many criticized her corner for not throwing in the towel when Pennington appeared defeated on her stool between rounds due to Nunes’s brutal leg kicks. The criticism was severe, with claims that her corner should have prioritized her safety over the potential for victory. However, despite the setback, Pennington remained resilient, determined to prove her worth and earn another shot at the championship.
Throughout the fight against Bueno Silva, Pennington faced several threats to her title aspirations. Bueno Silva constantly sought opportunities to submit Pennington, attempting various chokes both in standing positions and on the ground. In the fourth round, she came dangerously close to securing a rear-naked choke. However, Pennington displayed remarkable composure and skill, calmly escaping every submission attempt and eventually dominating the scorecards.
Pennington’s strategy primarily revolved around her striking prowess. Employing a relentless jab and mixing in powerful right crosses, she dictated the pace of the fight. Bueno Silva struggled to take her down in the clinch, and Pennington capitalized on this weakness, delivering punishing knees to the body and elbows as a response. Although the fight had its slower moments during grappling stalemates, Pennington proved her superiority in those positions and secured points with well-placed hammerfists.
Some spectators expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of action at times during the fight, resulting in boos from the sellout Canadian crowd. However, Pennington made it clear that in a clinch-heavy battle, scoring offense is a challenging task. Despite this, she maintained an overwhelming advantage in total strikes, boasting a 252-88 lead according to UFC Stats. Moreover, Pennington demonstrated her defensive skills, neutralizing Bueno Silva’s grappling pedigree and denying her any significant control time.
Pennington’s victory sets the stage for an anticipated clash between her and Julianna Peña in the next bantamweight title fight. Peña, who would have likely fought Pennington at UFC 297, is currently recovering from an undisclosed injury but is expected to return soon. The prospect of this matchup has been a long time coming for Pennington, who has waited patiently for ten years to face Peña. She wasted no time calling out her opponent, urging Peña to recover quickly and sign the contract.
As Pennington celebrated her triumph, she was joined by the retired Nunes, who was in attendance in Toronto. Pennington’s victory solidifies her as the sixth undisputed bantamweight champion in UFC history, following in the footsteps of legendary fighters like Ronda Rousey. This momentous accomplishment serves as a testament to Pennington’s tenacity, resilience, and unwavering belief in her abilities.
Raquel Pennington’s journey from defeat to becoming the UFC bantamweight champion is a testament to her strength and perseverance. Overcoming setbacks, criticism, and challenging opponents, Pennington has proven herself to be a worthy titleholder. As she looks forward to her future battles, she remains determined to leave a lasting legacy in the world of women’s MMA.
Leave a Reply