| Raquel Pennington | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Pennington in 2024 | |
| Born | Raquel Len Pennington (1988-09-05)September 5, 1988 (age 37) Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
| Other names | Rocky |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |
| Division | Bantamweight (2012–present) Featherweight (2021) |
| Reach | 67+1⁄2 in (171 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
| Team | Altitude MMA |
| Rank | Brown belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Tyler Larsen[1] |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 25 |
| Wins | 16 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 11 |
| Losses | 9 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 8 |
| Wins | 7 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Spouse | [2] |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Raquel Len Pennington[3] (born September 5, 1988) is an American professionalmixed martial artist who competes in the women'sBantamweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is a formerUFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. As of June 10, 2025, she is #2 in theUFC women's bantamweight rankings,[4] and as of November 18, 2025, she is #11 in theUFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.[5]
Pennington grew up playing many sports from basketball, softball, volleyball, running cross country and always wanted to box. She graduated fromHarrison High School in 2007 as secretary of theNational Honors Society, with many athletic and academic scholarships. She never played sports on a collegiate level due to a broken back.[6]
Pennington started training in martial arts at the age of 19, though initially her parents would not let her fight.[7] She fought in amateur MMA from 2009 to 2011, amassing a record of 7 wins and 1 loss with five of those wins by submission.[8] Her professional debut was in March 2012, a TKO victory againstKim Couture.
Pennington made herInvicta Fighting Championships promotional debut against futureThe Ultimate Fighter team mate Sarah Moras on July 28, 2012, atInvicta FC 2. She won via unanimous decision.[9]
Her next two fights for the promotion were both losses; one toCat Zingano atInvicta FC 3[10] and one toLeslie Smith atInvicta FC 4.[11]
In August 2013, Pennington was announced as a cast member ofThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate.[12] She defeated veteranTonya Evinger via submission due to a guillotine choke in the second round and was the third female pick of Team Tate.[13]
Raquel Pennington facedJessamyn Duke in the elimination round. Pennington defeated Duke via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 29–28)[14] and the performance earned both participantsFight of The Season honors.[15]
Advancing to the semi-final, Pennington next faced former boxing championJessica Rakoczy in the final episode of the series. Prior to the fight, Pennington damaged her hand but was still able to fight. She lost a unanimous decision to Rakoczy (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27).[16]
Pennington made her promotional debut against TUF 18 team mateRoxanne Modafferi on November 30, 2013, atThe Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. She won via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28).[17]
For her second fight with the promotion, Pennington replaced an injuredJulianna Peña againstJéssica Andrade on March 15, 2014, atUFC 171. She lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[18]
Pennington was scheduled to faceHolly Holm atUFC 181 on December 6, 2014. However, Holm pulled out of the fight in mid-November, citing a neck injury.[19] Holm was replaced by UFC newcomerAshlee Evans-Smith.[20] Pennington won the fight via technical submission due to a bulldog choke at the end of the first round. She became the 4th fighter in UFC history to finish a fight with that move.[21]
Pennington foughtHolly Holm atUFC 184 on February 28, 2015,[22] a bout that was originally supposed to take place atUFC 181.[23] She lost the fight via split decision.[24]
Pennington was set to take onLiz Carmouche atUFC 191. Carmouche was then replaced by former opponentJéssica Andrade.[25] Pennington won the rematch by submission in the second round.[26] The submission earned her aPerformance of the Night bonus.[27]
Pennington faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion and former TUF CoachMiesha Tate atUFC 205 on November 12, 2016. She won the fight by unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, and 30–27), outstriking and outwrestling Tate for all three rounds.[28]
After being away from fighting for about a year and a half, Pennington facedAmanda Nunes on May 12, 2018, atUFC 224 in aUFC Women's Bantamweight Championship bout.[29] Pennington lost the fight via TKO in the fifth round.[30] This was the first event in UFC history to be headlined by two openly gay fighters.[31]
Pennington returned atUFC Fight Night 139 on November 10, 2018, where she took on former UFC featherweight champGermaine de Randamie.[32] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[33]
Pennington facedIrene Aldana on July 20, 2019, atUFC on ESPN 4.[34] She won the fight via split decision.[35]
Pennington was scheduled to faceHolly Holm in a rematch on October 6, 2019, atUFC 243.[36] However, on September 27, it was revealed Holm withdrew from the bout due to a hamstring injury and the bout was cancelled.[37] The pair was rescheduled to fight on January 18, 2020, atUFC 246.[38] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[39]
Pennington facedMarion Reneau on June 20, 2020, atUFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov.[40] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[41]
Pennington accepted a six-monthUSADA suspension after self-reporting a doping violation upon realizing she had ingested banned substances,7-Keto-DHEA andAOD-9064, prescribed by her doctor to treat a medical condition. The suspension was retroactive to November 17, 2020, and she would be eligible to fight again on May 7, 2021.[42]
Pennington facedPannie Kianzad on September 18, 2021, atUFC Fight Night 192.[43] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[44]
Pennington was scheduled to faceJulia Avila on December 18, 2021, atUFC Fight Night 199.[45] However, Avila was forced to pull from the event due to injury.[46] She was replaced byMacy Chiasson.[47] At the weigh-ins, Chiasson weighed in at 148.5 pounds, 3.5 pounds over the women's featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight with Chiasson fined a percentage of her purse, which went to Pennington.[48] Pennington won the fight via guillotine submission in the second round.[49]
Pennington facedAspen Ladd, replacingIrene Aldana, on April 9, 2022, atUFC 273.[50] She won the bout via unanimous decision.[51]
Pennington facedKetlen Vieira on January 14, 2023, atUFC Fight Night 217.[52] She won the fight via split decision.[53]
Pennington was scheduled to rematchIrene Aldana on May 20, 2023, atUFC Fight Night 223.[54] However on May 2, 2023, it was announced that Aldana would instead replace an injuredJulianna Peña in headliningUFC 289 on June 10, 2023, in a Bantamweight Championship match against championAmanda Nunes.[55] A few days later it was announced that Pennington would serve as a backup for the title bout.[56]
Pennington facedMayra Bueno Silva on January 20, 2024, atUFC 297 for the vacantUFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.[57] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[58]
Pennington faced formerUFC Bantamweight championJulianna Peña on October 5, 2024 atUFC 307.[59] She lost the championship by split decision.[60] 25 out of 26 media outlets scored the bout for Pennington and one scored it as a draw.[61]
Pennington was scheduled to faceNorma Dumont on September 13, 2025, atUFC Fight Night 259.[62] However, Pennington had to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury and a replacement was not found.[63]
Pennington isopenly lesbian. She is married to UFC StrawweightTecia Torres.[64][65][66] The couple announced the birth of their baby daughter in June 2023.[67] She is halfMexican and halfCaucasian.[68]
| 25 matches | 16 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 1 |
| By submission | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 11 | 7 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 16–9 | Julianna Peña | Decision (split) | UFC 307 | October 5, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | Lost theUFC Women's Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–8 | Mayra Bueno Silva | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 297 | January 20, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Won the vacantUFC Women's Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–8 | Ketlen Vieira | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov | January 14, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–8 | Aspen Ladd | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 273 | April 9, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 13–8 | Macy Chiasson | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus | December 18, 2021 | 2 | 3:07 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Featherweight debut; Chiasson missed weight (148.5 lb). |
| Win | 12–8 | Pannie Kianzad | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann | September 18, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–8 | Marion Reneau | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov | June 20, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 10–8 | Holly Holm | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 246 | January 18, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–7 | Irene Aldana | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards | July 20, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 9–7 | Germaine de Randamie | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez | November 10, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Catchweight (138 lb) bout; Pennington missed weight. |
| Loss | 9–6 | Amanda Nunes | TKO (punches) | UFC 224 | May 12, 2018 | 5 | 2:36 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | For theUFC Women's Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–5 | Miesha Tate | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 205 | November 12, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | New York City,New York, United States | |
| Win | 8–5 | Elizabeth Phillips | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 202 | August 20, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–5 | Bethe Correia | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans | April 16, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 6–5 | Jéssica Andrade | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 191 | September 5, 2015 | 2 | 4:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 5–5 | Holly Holm | Decision (split) | UFC 184 | February 28, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–4 | Ashlee Evans-Smith | Technical Submission (bulldog choke) | UFC 181 | December 6, 2014 | 1 | 4:59 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 4–4 | Jéssica Andrade | Decision (split) | UFC 171 | March 15, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 4–3 | Roxanne Modafferi | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale | November 30, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 3–3 | Leslie Smith | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 4 | January 5, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 3–2 | Cat Zingano | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Invicta FC 3 | October 6, 2012 | 2 | 3:32 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Raquel Pa'aluhi | Submission (guillotine choke) | Destiny MMA: Na Koa 1 | September 8, 2012 | 1 | 3:52 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Won the Destiny MMA Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–1 | Sarah Moras | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 2 | July 28, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Tori Adams | Decision (unanimous) | Rocky Mountain Bad Boyz: A Champion's Quest | June 22, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Sheridan, Colorado, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 1–0 | Kim Couture | TKO (knees to the body) | Medieval Fight Productions: Vengeance | March 13, 2012 | 2 | 2:25 | Casper, Wyoming, United States | Flyweight debut. |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 2 wins | 1 loss |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 2–1 | Jessica Rakoczy | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate | November 27, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada,United States | The Ultimate Fighter 18 Semifinal bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | Jessamyn Duke | Decision (unanimous) | October 9, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | The Ultimate Fighter 18 Quarterfinal bout. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Tonya Evinger | Submission (guillotine choke) | September 4, 2013 | 2 | 3:56 | The Ultimate Fighter 18 Preliminary bout. |
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 8 matches | 7 wins | 1 loss |
| By submission | 5 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 7–1 | Heather Denny | Submission (triangle choke) | RMBB: Extreme MMA | August 12, 2011 | 2 | 1:59 | Sheridan, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | J.J. Aldrich | Submission (triangle choke) | RMBB: Bad Girlz Gone Wild | January 21, 2011 | 2 | 1:44 | Sheridan, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Taylor Stratford | Decision (split) | URC 13: Brute Force | June 11, 2010 | 3 | 3:00 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Tsui-Jen Cunanan | Decision (unanimous) | RMBB: Caged Madness | January 16, 2010 | 3 | 3:00 | Sheridan, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Kyane Hampton | Submission (rear-naked choke) | NMEF: Annihilation 20 | October 24, 2009 | 2 | 0:45 | Greeley, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Kyane Hampton | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Kickdown 67: Blast | June 20, 2009 | 1 | 2:52 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Ericka Trujillo | Decision (unanimous) | Kickdown 62: Extreme | April 5, 2009 | 3 | 3:00 | Casper, Wyoming, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Staci Vega | Submission (guillotine choke) | Kickdown 60: Supremacy | February 21, 2009 | 1 | 1:45 | Casper, Wyoming, United States |
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 224 | Nunes vs. Pennington | March 3, 2018 | Jeunesse Arena | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 85,000[74] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant Title last held by Amanda Nunes | 7thUFC Bantamweight Champion January 20, 2024 – October 5, 2024 | Succeeded by |
Updated to 9 December 2025 |
Updated to 3 February 2026 |
