Following a dominant performance at UFC 297, Raquel Pennington emerged victorious over Mayra Bueno Silva to claim the women’s bantamweight championship title. Pennington secured the coveted belt, which was previously held by Amanda Nunes, at UFC 289 in June. With a remarkable 18 fights in the bantamweight division, Pennington solidified her status as a standout in the weight class.
The fight showcased Pennington’s resilience and determination, as she bounced back from previous losses to Nunes and embarked on a six-fight winning streak. Despite a somewhat uneventful title bout, Pennington showcased her tenacity and grit throughout the fight.
Reflecting on her victory, Pennington expressed her gratitude and acknowledged the challenges she had to overcome to reach this milestone. She credited her opponent, Bueno Silva, for putting up a tough fight and acknowledged the long journey she had undertaken to reclaim the championship title.
Throughout the fight, Bueno Silva displayed early aggression but ultimately succumbed to Pennington’s strategic prowess. Pennington’s dominance was evident in the later rounds, as she controlled the pace and ultimately secured a unanimous decision victory.
Looking ahead, Pennington is poised to face Julianna Peña in her next title defense. With Peña eager to reclaim the title she lost to Nunes, the potential matchup promises to be an exciting showdown between two seasoned UFC veterans.
Pennington expressed her readiness for the upcoming challenge, urging Peña to sign the contract and solidify their long-awaited matchup. As she looks towards the future, Pennington remains focused on solidifying her legacy in the bantamweight division.