Tag: Julianna Pena

‘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.

‘Uncrowned Queen’ Kayla Harrison Fires Shots at Julianna Pena and Ketlen Vieira in Fiery UFC 307 Press Conference

'Uncrowned Queen’ Kayla Harrison Fires Shots at Julianna Pena and Ketlen Vieira in Fiery UFC 307 Press ConferenceAt the UFC 307 press conference, the top-ranked athletes Kayla Harrison and Julianna Pena had a heated exchange, with…

'Uncrowned Queen’ Kayla Harrison Fires Shots at Julianna Pena and Ketlen Vieira in Fiery UFC 307 Press Conference

At the UFC 307 press conference, the top-ranked athletes Kayla Harrison and Julianna Pena had a heated exchange, with Harrison making it clear she plans to dominate the bantamweight division. Although Harrison is set to face Ketlen Vieira, of Brazil, and Pena will fight Raquel Pennington for the title, their back-and-forth implied at a likely rivalry in the future.

Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison a two-time Olympic judo medalist with consecutive PFL lightweight titles to her name, stated that she’s on an unstoppable path to the UFC bantamweight title, no matter who currently holds it. She downplayed Pena’s UFC experience by highlighting her own 17-1 record compared to Pena’s 10-5. Pena shot back, criticizing the quality of Harrison’s past opponents.

Harrison responded:

“I have more finishes than Julianna has wins. I don’t know what she’s talking about. She better slow down … It doesn’t matter. It’s only a matter of time. I’m the uncrowned queen. First Saturday night, I smash Ketlen and then I come for my title. Enjoy it while you can ladies … [I] just got here? I won two Olympic gold medals. You started your career in 2009 and you’re 10-5. I started in 2018 and I’m 17-1.”

Who is Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison

Julianna Pena

The Venezuelan Vixen’ Julianna Pena is best known for her stunning submission win over Amanda Nunes in December 2021, which earned her the bantamweight title, which she would later lose to the ‘Lioness.’ She is now set to fight Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 for the bantamweight title, marking her return to the octagon after more than two years.

Pena said:

“I know violence. Kayla Harrison just got here to the scene… As far as I’m concerned, the last time she faced a Brazilian, she came running into the UFC … It’s easy to be 17-1 when you’re fighting freaking tomato cans.”

Ronda Rousey 'Blaming everybody else' with no accountability says Julianna Pena
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Ketlen Vieira

Vieira who is actually fighting Harrison at UFC 307, also voiced frustration about Harrison’s quick rise in the UFC, feeling it was an unfair “line skip.” Harrison, however, welcomed all challengers, showing confidence and a readiness to face anyone in the division.

Throughout her UFC career, Vieira, who holds a blackbelt in both Jiu Jitsu and Judo, has faced several high-profile opponents, including a significant victory over former champion Miesha Tate in November 2021. However, she also faced setbacks, including losses to Irene Aldana and Raquel Pennington.

Ketlen Vieira
Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 307

The Brazilian athlete said:

“Listen, it’s going to be really hard looking at your ugly face for me. It’s going to be OK when you look in the mirror …

“All of a sudden you come out here and you skip the line. Actually I had a loss then and I had a loss to Raquel Pennington, somebody active, the current champion, somebody I admire a lot and someone I mirror myself and my game and the way I behave myself [after]. Because I think coming here and actually being a champion is more than just coming here and saying a lot of bologna.”

Kayla Harrison concluded with:

“This is the difference between me and all of these girls. I come here and they complain ‘she skipped the line, she’s on steroids, it’s not fair, she shouldn’t do this, she shouldn’t do that.’ If this was my division, and I was the champion, I would say come the f*ck over and I’ll show you who’s champion.” [HT MMAFighting]

UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results

UFC 307 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results! After staging an event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere last month, the mixed martial arts leader is back in Utah for its latest numbered card, which goes down inside Salt Lake City’s Delta Center. Two […]

Continue Reading UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

UFC 307 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

After staging an event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere last month, the mixed martial arts leader is back in Utah for its latest numbered card, which goes down inside Salt Lake City’s Delta Center.

Two titles will be on the line at the top of the card, with Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight belt against Khalil Rountree and Raquel Pennington staking the women’s bantamweight gold opposite Julianna Peña.

Also on the main card will be returns for UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and fan favorite Kevin Holland.

UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Weigh-In Results

UFC 307 takes place Saturday, October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

See above for a replay of the UFC 307 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!

Main Card:

  • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (205lbs) vs. Khalil Rountree (205lbs)
  • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington (135lbs) vs. Julianna Peña (134.5lbs)
  • Bantamweight: José Aldo (136lbs) vs. Mario Bautista (136lbs)
  • Middleweight: Roman Dolidze (185.5lbs) vs. Kevin Holland (185.5lbs)
  • Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira (136lbs) vs. Kayla Harrison (136lbs)

Preliminary Card:

  • Welterweight: Stephen Thompson (171lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170.5lbs)
  • Women’s Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez (115.5lbs) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (116lbs)
  • Lightweight: Austin Hubbard (156lbs) vs. Alexander Hernandez (156lbs)
  • Middleweight: César Almeida (185.5lbs) vs. Ihor Potieria (185.5lbs)

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (205.5lbs) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (205.5lbs)
  • Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza (115.5lbs) vs. Tecia Pennington (115lbs)
  • Welterweight: Court McGee (170lbs) vs. Tim Means (171lbs)

Continue Reading UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results at MMA News.