In a Combat Sports UK exclusive, UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion Raquel ‘Rocky’ Pennington has named her preferred opponent for her first title defence.
Pennington clinched the vacant title at UFC 297 earlier this year, defeating Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision. A five fight win streak for ‘Rocky’ was enough to warrant her second shot at glory, following defeat at UFC 224 to retired champion Amanda Nunes. Nunes’ legendary reign over the division spanned 8 years in two separate stints. With the 35 year old now out of the picture, Pennington has an opportunity to stamp her authority over 135lbs.
Raquel Pennington Talks Troubled Preparations Ahead of UFC Title Win
Pennington recently caught up with Combat Sports UK’s Taylor Collard, recounting the build up to her career defining moment. Coupled with being a -140 underdog, ‘Rocky’ also overcame sickness during her weight cut to clinch UFC gold:
“I couldn’t even talk, I felt like I had razor blades in my throat. It was terrible. Who wants to go into a fight already feeling like sh*t?”
“I was pretty stressed to say the least. We’re in the locker room warming up, and I was like, I couldn’t break a sweat. Nothing was happening. And then, when we’re out there, I was just like, it’s gonna hurt.”
The now champion’s struggles continued into the fight. Pennington revealed:
“As soon as it started, with the way my body felt, we tied up and I felt like my muscular endurance just went. It was terrible. And I was just like wow, okay, this is going to be fun.”
“I was frustrated, because I wanted to put on a completely different performance for my world title fight. I felt like it was a great opportunity against an opponent that I could’ve put on a performance [against] I’ve been waiting for. But, at the end of the day, it played out the way it was supposed to play out. The fun part is, I get to defend my world title.”
‘Rocky’ certainly lived up to her nickname, overcoming all the odds to finally clinch UFC Gold after 11 years of grinding within the organisation.
Pennington Names Her Challenger
The 135lb division certainly isn’t short of suitors to challenge for Pennington’s belt.
Kayla Harrison‘s arrival from PFL is sure to spice things up. Her UFC debut will see her face off with Holly Holm at UFC 300, eliminating both from a potential title shot in the immediate future. Pennington, however, does not seem too concerned. The champion has revealed exclusively to Combat Sports UK who she wants next:
“I’ve never turned down a fight in my entire career. Everybody brings a different challenge to the table, and I love that. I love challenges, so that’s something big for me.”
“At this point, I do feel like Julianna has been the fight that I’ve been waiting for since we were on The Ultimate Fighter together. Here we are 11 years later.It’ll be the biggest profile fight.”
Alluding to potential challenges with Kayla Harrison and Holly Holm, Pennington stated:
“UFC has a way of doing business. Obviously, [with] Holly Holm and Kayla Harrison coming up, they both have huge names. I really do feel like UFC is expecting Kayla to win this fight. They have a way of liking to fast track certain people.”
“I’ve never been handed a single thing. I’ve had to work for everything that I have, and I’ve been the underdog my entire career. I feel like the dark horse in women’s MMA. I’ve been over here, just grinding, being myself, doing whatever, living my life. They have game plans, and I shut down their game plans.”
“I’m not opposed to fighting anybody. At some point, to fight Kayla Harrison, to fight Holly Holm again, great. Would love to. But there are so many other women in this division who have been working their asses off, and training every single day. They’ve been in the UFC a lot longer, they deserve the opportunities.”
Pennington’s values as a tireless grafter clearly weigh greatly in her preferences for contenders to her title. Julianna Pena, an 11-year UFC veteran herself, undeniably meets the champion’s requirements. Pennington reiterated:
“As of right now, Julianna is the one that myself and my team is looking at.”
Combat Sports UK Exclusive Interview With UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion
You can hear Raquel Pennington’s full thoughts in our exclusive interview:
What do you think Raquel Pennington should do next? Comment below!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
