Tag: Julianna Pena

5 Fights We Need to See After UFC 307

Alex Pereira took out another dangerous contender at UFC 307, but his toughest test as light heavyweight champion is probably still to come. Pereira was back…

Alex Pereira took out another dangerous contender at UFC 307, but his toughest test as light heavyweight champion is probably still to come. Pereira was back…

PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins

UFC 307 was a big night for the women’s bantamweight division due to two match-ups that took place right at the top of the rankings. Julianna Peña was able to reclaim the 135-pound title by defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision in the co-main event. Earlier on in the night, Kayla Harrison cemented her status […]

Continue Reading PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins at MMA News.

UFC 307 was a big night for the women’s bantamweight division due to two match-ups that took place right at the top of the rankings.

Julianna Peña was able to reclaim the 135-pound title by defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision in the co-main event.

Earlier on in the night, Kayla Harrison cemented her status as the next in line by defeating Ketlen Vieira via a unanimous decision.

Harrison’s return to the Octagon wasn’t without comment from her former home, the PFL, who received some criticism for posting about her loss to Larissa Pacheco on the same evening.

The use of Harrison’s time spent in the PFL didn’t stop being talking point there after the promotion’s founder commented once again on the day after UFC 307.

Donn Davis Says PFL’s Women’s Division Would ‘Crush’ The UFC’s, Lays Down A Challenge To Prove It

In a post on X, PFL founder Donn Davis made a statement that was followed by a challenge to the UFC regarding the strength of their female roster.

He took Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco, who are set to face off on October 19, and put them up against the champion and top contender in the UFC’s 135-pound division.

Davis makes it clear that he would back Cyborg and Pacheco over Peña and Harrison and even offers to put money on it.

Following Dana White’s harsh comments regarding the success of the PFL in his post-UFC 307 press conference, Davis wrote “#DanaScared” underneath the post.

“It is clear from UFC 306 that @PFLMMA female division would crush @UFC. I am so confident… winner take all. PFL: Cyborg + Pacheco. UFC: Harrison + Peña. $2m to each fighter… losing company pays $8m total fighter purses”

Read also: Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me…’

Continue Reading PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins at MMA News.

‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307

Julianna Peña regained the UFC women’s bantamweight title with a split decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. The judges saw the fight 48-47 across all three cards, though they differed on the victor. In the end, it was the closely contested opening round that decided the fight, with two of the three cageside […]

Continue Reading ‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Julianna Peña regained the UFC women’s bantamweight title with a split decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307.

The judges saw the fight 48-47 across all three cards, though they differed on the victor. In the end, it was the closely contested opening round that decided the fight, with two of the three cageside scorers leaning the way of the challenger.

The two fighters were very competitive with one another, with Peña’s highlight being a back take in the third round that ended with a face crank attempt.

By far the most significant strike of the bout was landed in the fourth frame by “Rocky,” who — after having success with her hands — dropped the challenger.

Pennington followed up this big moment by attempting a submission that allowed Peña to recover, but she maintained the pressure to win the fifth round on all of the cards.

MMA Fans React To Julianna Peña’s Title-Winning Performance At UFC 307

The fight saw Peña return from a long layoff, having not fought since her rematch with Amanda Nunes, which she emphatically lost in July 2022.

During the post-fight interview, Joe Rogan prompted the new champion to talk about Kayla Harrison and her win earlier on in the night. Instead, Peña spoke about bringing “The Lioness” back to the Octagon for a trilogy fight.

MMA fans reacted to the close fight that stayed in one gear for the majority of the duration on social media.

Continue Reading ‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307 at MMA News.

UFC 307 Fight Card: PPV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.

UFC 307 comes to Salt Lake City, Utah with Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. closing out a show that features two title fights, Olympic gold medalist Kayla…

UFC 307 comes to Salt Lake City, Utah with Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. closing out a show that features two title fights, Olympic gold medalist Kayla…

UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree 

UFC 307 took place tonight from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!  In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the line against Khalil Rountree. While in the co-main event, Raquel Pennington looked to defend her women’s bantamweight title against former […]

Continue Reading UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree  at MMA News.

UFC 307 took place tonight from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the line against Khalil Rountree. While in the co-main event, Raquel Pennington looked to defend her women’s bantamweight title against former champ Julianna Peña. 

UFC 307 Results: Main Card

  • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree via TKO: R4, 4.32
  • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington via split decision (48-47×2, 47-48)
  • Bantamweight: Mario Bautista def. José Aldo via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
  • Middleweight: Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland via TKO (injury stoppage): R1, 5.00 
  • Women’s Bantamweight: Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28) 

Preliminary Card

  • Welterweight: Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson via KO: R3, 2.17
  • Women’s Strawweight: Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)  
  • Lightweight: Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (29-28×2, 27-30)  
  • Middleweight: César Almeida def. Ihor Potieria via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Early Preliminary Card

  • Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission: R1, 1.35
  • Women’s Strawweight: Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27) 
  • Welterweight: Court McGee def. Tim Means via submission: R1, 3.19

Preliminary Card Highlights

Court McGee def. Tim Means

Court McGee earned the first finish of UFC 307 with a rear-naked choke submission of Tim Means in the first round of their welterweight bout.

Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux

In this light heavyweight bout, Ryan Spann submitted Ovince Saint Preux with a guillotine choke early in the first round.

Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson

Joaquin Buckley kept his undefeated welterweight record in tact with a KO of Stephen Thompson in the third round.

Main Card Highlights

Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira

In this women’s bantamweight bout, Kayla Harrison earned her second UFC win with a unanimous decision against Ketlen Vieira.

Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland

After Kevin Holland sustained a rib injury, the ringside doctor deemed him unfit to fight and therefore Roman Dolidze was awarded a TKO win at the end of the first round.

Mario Bautista def. José Aldo

In this bantamweight bout, Mario Bautista got it done via split decision against José Aldo.

Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington

In the co-main event, Julianna Peña earned a split decision win against Raquel Pennington to reclaim the women’s bantamweight crown.

Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree

In the main event, Alex Pereira retained his light heavyweight title with a TKO of Khalil Rountree.

Continue Reading UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree  at MMA News.

Miesha Tate Compares Julianna Peña’s Striking to Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 307: ‘People Don’t Realize How Hard She Hits’

Miesha Tate Compares Julianna Peña’s Striking to Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 307: ‘People Don’t Realize How Hard She Hits’Former UFC bantamweight women’s champion Miesha Tate thinks people underestimate Julianna Pena’s striking. On October 4, Pena will attempt…

Miesha Tate Compares Julianna Peña’s Striking to Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 307: ‘People Don’t Realize How Hard She Hits’

Former UFC bantamweight women’s champion Miesha Tate thinks people underestimate Julianna Pena’s striking.

On October 4, Pena will attempt to become a two-time world titleholder when she meets reigning 135-pound queen Raquel Pennington in the UFC 307 co-main event. It will be Pena’s first time competing since her July 2022 loss to Amanda Nunes.

Julianna Pena vs. Raquel Pennington

Considering ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ is 3-3 in her last six fights and hasn’t stepped foot inside the Octagon for more than two years, it should come as no surprise that she’s listed as a +140 underdog while Pennington is trending as a -170 favorite. However, not everyone is convinced that ‘Rocky’ will leave with the bantamweight belt still strapped around her waist.

“I think Julianna’s striking is extremely underrated,” Tate told MMA Junkie Radio. “I think her striking is actually very effective – people just don’t understand it. It’s kind of like (Dricus Du Plessis). I think a lot of people look at him, and they don’t really respect his striking, either. I draw some similarities in their striking.

“(Julianna), when she hits you, it’s not a snapping punch. It’s like a joust. You’ve seen those guys that run at each other on horses (with) the jousting sticks? People don’t realize how hard she hits until they get hit by (her). We saw that happen when she took out Amanda (Nunes). Her boxing might not be traditional, but that’s also a benefit.”

Miesha Tate Likens ‘Rocky’ to Valentina Shevchenko

Tate is also very familiar with Raquel Pennington’s stand-up game, having squared off with ‘Rocky’ at UFC 205 in 2016. It would be Tate’s final UFC fight until coming out of retirement in 2021.

Miesha Tate

‘Cupcake’ likened the champ’s skills to that of another undisputed women’s world champion.

“She’s such a clean, beautiful striker, and she’s very precise,” Tate said of Pennington. “Her defense is so good. I actually liken her style to Valentina Shevchenko. If you think about it, stylistically, they’re pretty similar. They have good bases, and they never overreact.

“Valentina Shevchenko never overextends, Raquel never overextends. They’re both primarily counterstrikers, so they look for somebody to make a mistake. They’re great at parrying punches, they have great head movement, they have very technical boxing.”

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Pennington has won six straight dating back to June 2020 against Marion Reneau. Since then, she’s racked up wins against Pannie Kianzad, Macy Chiasson, Aspen Ladd, Ketlen Vieira, and Mayra Bueno Silva to claim the vacant bantamweight title.