raquel pennington

Kayla Harrison Expects to Be Backup For Bantamweight Title Fight at UFC 307: ‘On 30 Seconds Notice, I Will Step In’

Kayla Harrison Expects to Be Backup For Bantamweight Title Fight at UFC 307: 'On 30 Seconds Notice, I Will Step In' Kayla Harrison is more than ready to step in if the UFC needs a short-notice replacement in Salt Lake…

Kayla Harrison is more than ready to step in if the UFC needs a short-notice replacement in Salt Lake City.

On Saturday, October 5, the promotion will head back to The Crossroads of the West with a couple of world title fights in tow. In the UFC 307 main event, Alex Pereira will defend his light heavyweight title for the third time in 2024 when he meets heavy-hitting standout Khalil Rountree.

In the co-main event, bantamweight women’s champion Raquel Pennington will put her gold on the line against ex-titleholder Julianna Pena in a bout that will likely see the winner tasked with taking out Kayla Harrison next.

Kayla Harrison Expects to Be Backup For Bantamweight Title Fight at UFC 307: 'On 30 Seconds Notice, I Will Step In' 5

Kayla Harrison will ‘1000% Percent’ accept backup role

Harrison will also be featured on the card as she’s scheduled to face Ketlen Vieira in what will likely be a title eliminator — at least on Harrison’s side of things. However, if either Pennington or Pena are unable to make the walk come fight night, the two-time Olympic gold medalist will gladly step in and take her title shot earlier than expected.

“That’s what I heard,” Harrison told MMA Fighting about serving as backup for the co-main event. “I mean that’s what I’m planning. My mindset is Ketlen Vieira, whoop her ass and be prepared for the unknown. If I have to step in on short notice and fight, I will, absolutely. One thousand percent. On 30 seconds’ notice I will step [in]. Even after I fight Ketlen, if someone gets hurt in the back, I will still fight that fight.”

Harrison made her promotion debut in April, scoring a dominant first-round submission victory via rear-naked choke at UFC 300 in Las Vegas.

That immediately moved Harrison to No. 3 in the bantamweight rankings. If she comes out on top against Vieira this weekend, she’ll move up one spot, settling in right behind ‘The Venezuelan Vixen.’

UFC Commentator Highlights Julianna Peña’s Key Quality That Will Serve Her Well At UFC 307

Julianna Peña is set to return at UFC 307 after being away from competition for nearly two years. The last time that she stepped inside the Octagon, it was as the women’s bantamweight champion. Though she came up short on that night in a rematch with Amanda Nunes at UFC 277, her comeback will see […]

Continue Reading UFC Commentator Highlights Julianna Peña’s Key Quality That Will Serve Her Well At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Julianna Peña is set to return at UFC 307 after being away from competition for nearly two years.

The last time that she stepped inside the Octagon, it was as the women’s bantamweight champion.

Though she came up short on that night in a rematch with Amanda Nunes at UFC 277, her comeback will see her look to reclaim the gold on October 5.

To do so, Peña will need to answer some questions about whether her time away and injuries will play a factor in her attempt to dethrone Raquel Pennington in Salt Lake City.

Jon Anik Says That Juliana Peña’s Meanness Will Help Her Overcome Ring Rust At UFC 307

UFC commentator Jon Anik expressed in a recent interview with Middle Easy that he isn’t concerned about Peña’s time away from the Octagon heading into this fight.

Though he did say that ring rust can be a factor depending on the fighter in question, he believes that the challenger is not someone that it will phase.

Anik referenced how if you listen to how the former champion’s coaches and teammates speak about her, they will immediately make reference to her aggressive mindset when she’s in the cage.

With this in mind, he doesn’t think that we will see anything less than the very best that Peña has to offer, come October 5.

“It’s amazing to listen to Juliana Peña’s coaches, to a man, talk about her relative meanness and nastiness. They can’t even get to the skills because Rick Little and Mike Valley both are just like dude, meanest man or woman in the gym, you know what I mean? So I don’t worry about her, I just think she’s sort of one of these ultimate competitors. The layoffs not ideal, the injury history is not ideal and Raquel Pennington just knows how to win fights.”

Continue Reading UFC Commentator Highlights Julianna Peña’s Key Quality That Will Serve Her Well At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña – UFC 307 Odds

Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña are set to match up on UFC 307 on October 5th, 2024, at the…

Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña are set to match up on UFC 307 on October 5th, 2024, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. This bout will feature Pennington defending her UFC bantamweight championship for the first time against former champion Peña.

Raquel “Rocky” Pennington enters this fight as the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. She captured the title in January with a victory over Mayra Bueno Silva, capping off an impressive six-fight win streak.

Pennington is known for her gritty style and relentless pressure in the octagon. She earned a performance bonus in her match against Jessica Andrade. Just like you can earn a stay casino no deposit bonus right here. She also holds the record for the most bouts in UFC Women’s Bantamweight division history.

Raquel Pennington denounces Sean Strickland Female fighters are here to stay UFC — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Julianna Peña

Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña is the former UFC bantamweight champion looking to reclaim her title. Her recent record stands at 2-2 in her last four fights, with her most recent loss coming against Amanda Nunes in July 2022. Peña is renowned for her aggressive ground game and unrelenting pace.

Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña

For Pennington, this bout represents her first title defense and an opportunity to cement her status as the division’s champion. A win would validate her recent success and potentially set her up for a long reign at the top.

For Peña, this fight is a chance at redemption and an opportunity to reclaim the title she once held. A victory would not only put her back at the pinnacle of the division but also prove that she remains one of the elite fighters in the weight class.

Betting Odds

According to the opening odds from BetOnline, Raquel Pennington opened as the -151 favorite, while Julianna Peña was the +126 underdog. These odds suggest a competitive matchup, with Pennington having a slight edge in the eyes of oddsmakers.

The close odds suggest that bookmakers and bettors see this as a relatively even matchup, with Pennington having a slight edge. This is likely due to her current championship status and recent winning streak.

Raquel Pennington is the favorite, with odds ranging from -159 (1.63 decimal) to -190 (1.53 decimal) across different bookmakers. Julianna Peña is the underdog, with odds ranging from +125 (2.25 decimal) to +155 (2.55 decimal).

A £10 bet on Pennington at odds of 1.57 would return £15.70 if she wins. A similar bet on Peña would likely return around £22-£25 if she wins, depending on the exact odds.

UFC 307

UFC 307 is shaping up to be an exciting event scheduled for October 5, 2024, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. This marks UFC’s third consecutive year hosting an event in Salt Lake City. The headline fight features Alex Pereira defending his UFC light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree Jr.

Kayla Harrison Vows to Take UFC 307 Fight on 30-Second Notice: ‘I’ll Put an Elbow Through Julianna Peña’s Skull’

Rising UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison is ready to fight for a world championship at UFC 307 if the…

Rising UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison is ready to fight for a world championship at UFC 307 if the opportunity presents itself.

Harrison will make her second UFC Octagon appearance against Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 next month. She returns to the cage after a dominant win over former UFC titleholder Holly Holm at UFC 300.

Harrison’s UFC arrival from the PFL was one of the top storylines of 2024. After successfully making weight at UFC 300, and putting on a standout performance, she’s on the verge of a potential title shot.

Harrison’s chance at UFC gold will have to wait a little longer as UFC bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington faces Julianna Peña in the UFC 307 co-main. But, Harrison has had bad blood with both fighters in recent months, especially after Peña accused her of using performance enhancers.

Harrison is willing to fight whoever for a UFC world title, but if Peña was the option, the former PFL superstar sees it as the preferred path to glory.

Kayla Harrison willingly accepts UFC 307 backup role

In a recent interview with Grind City Media, Harrison was asked about potentially serving as the backup fighter for the UFC 307 co-main event.

“One of those b****es get sick or hurt or injured, I will take that fight on 30 seconds’ notice,” Harrison said. “To have a preference would mean I have an emotion… I don’t care. I really do not car?! The goal is the belt. But, if we’re talking about Kayla the psychopath, of course, I would rather put an elbow through Julianna’s skull than Raquel’s. Juliana’s face is annoying, of course I would pick that face!” (h/t SportsKeeda)

Harrison vs. Vieira is a potential No.1 contender fight at UFC 307. First thing’s first as Vieira is a tough opponent for Harrison after defeating Pannie Kianzad last year.

Peña earned the UFC bantamweight title shot despite a multi-year hiatus due to injury. She was supposed to complete her trilogy with Amanda Nunes at UFC 289 last year before withdrawing on weeks’ notice.

A win over Vieira should be enough for Harrison to secure her desired UFC title shot. If Peña is the woman standing in her way, she’s ready to make her pay for her critical allegations.

Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307

UFC 307 heralds the MMA promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah, with a stacked fight card lined up for October 5 at the Delta Center. On Friday UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the 11th numbered event will be headlined by light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, who will defend his title for the third […]

Continue Reading Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307 at MMA News.

UFC 307 heralds the MMA promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah, with a stacked fight card lined up for October 5 at the Delta Center.

On Friday UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the 11th numbered event will be headlined by light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, who will defend his title for the third time in 2024, this time against Khalil Rountree.

In the co-main event of UFC 307, reigning women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington puts her title on the line against former 135-pound queen Julianna Peña.

Pennington is set to make her first title defense since capturing the belt by unanimous decision against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 in January. The title was vacant at the time, following Amanda Nunes’ retirement.

Meanwhile, Peña is making her long-awaited return to the Octagon after an extended hiatus of over two years. She famously pulled off a major upset with a second-round submission victory over “The Lioness” at UFC 269, only to fall short in their rematch seven months later at UFC 277, losing by unanimous decision.

The undercard of this pay-per-view spectacle will feature an intriguing welterweight showdown between the seasoned Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and the surging Joaquin Buckley. Thompson last competed at UFC 296, where he suffered a second-round submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov. On the other hand, “New Mansa” is riding a wave of momentum with a four-fight win streak since dropping down to 170 pounds. His most recent victory came by decision against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Fight Night St. Louis this past May.

What Other Fights Are On The UFC 307 Card?

The UFC 307 fight card is packed with exciting matchups, including the return of former featherweight champion José Aldo, who is set to take on the rapidly rising Mario Bautista in a bantamweight showdown. Another highlight of the night will be the clash between two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira in a pivotal 135-pound bout.

Elsewhere on the card, Kevin Holland is slated to face Roman Dolidze in an intense middleweight showdown. Announced earlier this year, meanwhile, was a clash between undefeated featherweight Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling.

With these additions to the card, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5 are as follows:

Alex Pereira (C) vs. Khalil Rountree (light heavyweight championship main event)
Raquel Pennington (C) vs. Julianna Peña (women’s bantamweight championship co-main event)
Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (bantamweight)
Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley (welterweight)
Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight)
José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington (women’s strawweight)
Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)
Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
Ihor Potieria vs. Cesar Almeida (middleweight)

Read More: UFC 305: Staff Predictions For Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, Gamrot vs. Hooker, Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik, & More

Continue Reading Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307 at MMA News.

Raquel Pennington set to fight Julianna Pena in title grudge fight at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City

The undisputed bantamweight championship will be on the line at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah – with…

The undisputed bantamweight championship will be on the line at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah – with the divisional gold holder, Raquel Pennington putting her crown on the line in a title grudge fight against the returning former titleholder, Julianna Pena on October 5.

Pennington, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 297 at the beginning of the year back in January, landing the vacant divisional crown in a decision shutout against Mayra Bueno Silva in Canada.

Raquel Pennington co-headlines UFC 307 against Julianna Pena

Sidelined since she dropped a rematch title fight loss to former two-weight champion Amanda Nunes back in July 2022, dropping a one-sided unanimous decision loss to the Brazilian veteran.

UFC CEO, Dana White confirmed the booking of a bantamweight title fight between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Pena on social media today.

Pereira vs Rountree! #UFC307 from the @deltacenter, Utah on October 5th!@StateofSport pic.twitter.com/EJJcjJgUMf

— danawhite (@danawhite) August 16, 2024

Along with the pairing of Pennington and Pena, the undisputed light heavyweight crown is on the line in the event’s headliner, with incumbent champion, Alex Pereira returning for his third fight this year – in a clash against the streaking knockout finisher, Khalil Rountree.

In the midst of a six-fight winning spree, Raquel Pennington had earned a vacant title fight with Silva off the back of a split judging win over perennial contender, Ketlen Vieira – who takes on the newly-signed, Kayla Harrison in a potential title-eliminator on the UFC 307 undercard.

Raquel Pennington opens as betting favorite to beat Julianna Peña after UFC 297 title win

As for Pena, The Ultimate FIghter winner managed to win the undisputed bantamweight crown back in 2021, stopping the above-mentioned common-foe, Nunes with a stunning, highlight-reel second round rear-naked choke – in one of the biggest upset victories in the history of mixed martial arts.

UFC 307 takes place on October 5. from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah – with the championship doubleheader now officially slated for the pay-per-view return to the state.