In a monumental event at UFC 297 held in Scotiabank Arena, Raquel Pennington triumphed over adversity to secure the vacant bantamweight championship, marking her ascent to the top nearly six years after a challenging defeat against Amanda Nunes. The co-main event witnessed Pennington (16-8) facing off against Brazilian contender Mayra Bueno Silva (10-3-1), ultimately clinching victory through a unanimous decision with judges scoring 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45 in her favor.
Pennington, at 35, makes history as the UFC’s new 135-pound champion, succeeding Nunes after her retirement last year. Reflecting on her arduous journey, Pennington expressed, “It’s been a long five years getting back to this. I expected to come out here and open up more, but a fight is a fight. Mayra is tough. I have climbed mountains to get back here.”
10-9 Pennington
19-19 after R2
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 21, 2024
Bueno Silva, 32, posed a formidable challenge, attempting to thwart Pennington’s quest for a second chance at the championship. Engaging in a strategic battle, Bueno Silva pursued various chokes in both standing and ground positions, with a close call on a rear-naked choke in the fourth round. However, Pennington’s seasoned composure and skillful escapes showcased her resilience, ultimately dominating the scorecards.
Pennington’s offensive prowess centered on striking, utilizing a strategic mix of jabs and right crosses. Bueno Silva struggled to execute takedowns in the clinch, facing consequences with Pennington delivering knees to the body and punishing elbows. While the pace at times slowed due to grappling stalemates against the fence, Pennington asserted her dominance, emerging as the more active and effective fighter.
Addressing the discontent from the sellout Canadian crowd regarding moments of inactivity, Pennington reminded them of the complexities of scoring in a clinch-heavy encounter. UFC Stats underscored Pennington’s dominance, highlighting a substantial 252-88 advantage in total strikes and notable control time over Bueno Silva, known for her grappling pedigree.
Looking ahead, Pennington sets the stage for a potential clash with Julianna Peña, a matchup that could define the future of the bantamweight division. Despite the missed opportunity at UFC 297 due to Peña’s recovery from an undisclosed injury, Pennington eagerly awaits the bout, stating, “Julianna, get your ass better and sign on the dotted line. It’s been 10 years that I’ve waited for that fight.”
The presence of Amanda Nunes, a retired legend in the sport, witnessing the fight in Toronto added a poignant touch to Pennington’s historic victory. As the sixth undisputed bantamweight champion in UFC history, Pennington’s journey echoes the early successes of trailblazers like Ronda Rousey, solidifying her legacy in the annals of women’s MMA.
KAIRA’S VIEW
In a triumphant comeback, Raquel Pennington claimed the UFC’s vacant bantamweight title after overcoming a six-year journey, marked by a demoralizing loss to Amanda Nunes. Pennington’s strategic prowess and resilience shone in her victory over Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297, securing unanimous decision nods from judges. At 35, Pennington becomes the UFC’s first 135-pound champion since Nunes’s retirement. Despite a slow-paced fight and criticism for not throwing in the towel in her previous bout, Pennington’s dominance on the feet and resilience in grappling positions underscored her well-deserved victory. The stage is now set for a potential clash with Julianna Peña, promising an exciting future in the bantamweight division.
