Julianna Peña defeats Raquel Pennington by split decision in UFC 307 co-main event

Women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington put her title on the line for the first time on Saturday in the UFC 307 co-main event.  “Rocky” faced former titleholder Julianna Peña in a bit of a rivalry fight.  

The two appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 18 in 2013.  Pennington was defeated in the semifinals while Peña went on the win the season.  During the UFC 307 Pre-fight Press Conference, Pennington said she’s waited eleven years for this fight to happen.  They were friends in 2013, but do not like each other now.    

Pennington entered her first title defense riding a six-fight winning streak.  Peña hadn’t fought since July 2022 when she lost to Amanda Nunes at UFC 277.  

Pennington pawed with her jab in the early going.  Peña connected with a stiff jab as Pennington moved into the pocket.  Pennington delivered a stiff jab that got Peña’s attention.  Peña found a home for her right hand.  They stood in front of each other and boxed through the first half of the round.  

Pennington stepped forward and landed an uppercut.  She doubled up on her jab.  Peña responded with a right hand.  Peña connected with a right hand over the top.  The first round was competitive.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Pennington due to output.  

Pennington pressed forward behind her jab to start the second frame.  Peña kept her guard high and connected with a right hand.  Pennington responded with a front kick to the body.  90 seconds into the round, they two clinched.  Peña tripped Pennington to the canvas and landed in side control.  

Peña delivered knees to the body.  Pennington scrambled to her feet but Peña kept the pressure on and took Pennington’s back.  She applied a body lock to the standing Pennington.  The round ended with Peña on Pennington’s back.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Peña.

Pennington pressed forward in the third.  They exchanged jabs.  Pennington delivered a leg kick.  Peña clinched but Pennington pushed her away.  Pennington started to bleed from her nose.  Peña connected with an uppercut and clinched.  She tripped Pennington to the canvas and again landed in side control.  

Pennington scrambled but Peña took her back.  Peña applied a body triangle and delivered punches.  Peña worked to secured a rear-naked choke.  Pennington defended the submission attempt but remained in a bad position.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Peña.

Between rounds Pennington’s corner urged her to let her hands go.  Pennington landed a head kick at the beginning of the third.  She landed a leg kick.  Peña responded with a right hand.  Peña connected with a right hand.  Pennington responded with an uppercut.  Pennington pressed forward and landed a right hand.  Penningon connected with a clean right hand that dropped Peña.  She followed her to the ground.  Peña stood and clinched.  The two separated seconds later.  Pennington landed a jab and Peña reacted with a right hand.  Pennington’s right hand found a home.  Pennington landed her jab as the round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Pennington.  

Heading into the final round, the momentum was definitely in Pennington’s favor.  She pressed forward behind her jab.  Pennington continued to land her jab.  Peña responded with a right hand.  Peña’s output slowed.  They exchanged jabs.  They clinched and Pennington pressed Peña against the cage.  She disengaged and landed a right hand.  Peña landed a counter right hand but looked fatigued.  

Pennington landed a counter right hand that hurt Peña.  Pennington pressured Peña.  Peña connected with a combination.  Pennington continued to pressure Peña.  Peña landed a right hand.  Pennington powered forward but came up short with a combination.  Pennington landed a superman punch at the bell.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Pennington.  

The judges scored the fight for Peña via split decision.  The scorecards read 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47.  With the win, Peña became a two-time UFC champion.