Learn more about Raquel Pennington's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.
Fighter Facts
- Team Tate on TUF 18
- Pro since 2012
- Debut win was second round TKO of Kim Couture
- Holds 2012 win over TUF 18 teammate Sarah Moras
- Lost 2012 bout to UFC veteran Cat Zingano
- One win by KO, three by submission (RNC, guillotine choke, bulldog choke)
- Has won eight of her last 13
- Origin of nickname – “It came from high school. People couldn’t pronounce my name and would always call me Rock-quel so the name was shortened to Rock, then over the years Rocky.
UFC History
UFC on ESPN (6/20/20) Pennington won a three round unanimous decision over Marion Reneau
UFC 246 (1/18/20) Pennington lost a three round unanimous decision to Holly Holm
UFC on ESPN (7/20/19) Pennington won a three round split decision over Irene Aldana
UFC Fight Night (11/10/18) Pennington lost a three round unanimous decision to Germaine de Randamie
UFC 224 (5/12/18) Pennington was stopped by Amanda Nunes via strikes at 2:36 of the fifth round in a bout for the UFC women’s bantamweight title
UFC 205 (11/12/16) Pennington won a three round unanimous decision over Miesha Tate
UFC 202 (8/20/16) Pennington won a three round unanimous decision over Elizabeth Phillips
UFC on FOX (4/16/16) Pennington won a three round split decision over Bethe Correia
UFC 191 (9/5/15) Pennington submitted Jessica Andrade via rear naked choke at 4:58 of the second round
UFC 184 (2/28/15) Pennington lost a three round split decision to Holly Holm
UFC 181 (12/6/14) Pennington submitted Ashlee Evans-Smith via bulldog choke at 4:59 of the first round
UFC 171 (3/15/14) Pennington lost a three round split decision to Jessica Andrade
TUF 18 Finale (11/30/13) Pennington won a three round unanimous decision over Roxanne Modafferi
The Ultimate Fighter, Season 18
On episode 13 (semifinals), Pennington lost a three round unanimous decision to Jessica Rakoczy
On episode six (quarterfinals), Pennington won a three round decision over Jessamyn Duke
On episode one, Pennington submitted Tonya Evinger in the second round
Q&A
TRAINING: I train every morning doing strength and conditioning for two hours - usually 9-11. Then I have a break until 2pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Then I go to Muay Thai, kickboxing or wrestling. Tuesday and Thursday I do jitz from 6:30 to 8:30.
When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training at the age of 19. I always wanted to fight but my parents never let me. In my senior yet I broke my back snowboarding and was rehabbing my back. Then I joined fighting to become more active.
What ranks and titles have you held? As an amateur I was 7-1 with five titles - three at 135lbs, one at 130lb and one at 125lb 0 and ranked number one in the US. Before TUF as a pro I was 3-3 and I hold the world bantamweight/Hawaiian islands champion of Destiny MMA.
Do you have any heroes? My hero is my mom.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? To fight in the UFC is every fighter’s dream come true. For me, it's a great accomplishment making it as high in the promotion as I can go and a life change for not only me, but my family. It’s also a way to reach out to the people in the world and tell my story and show them it's possible for them to achieve their dreams as well.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I am currently in college doing pre-med in hopes of going to med school to be a doctor.
What was your job before you started fighting? I worked at SAMs club, driving the forklift, stocking the freezers/cooler, while going to school and training.
Favorite grappling technique: Triangle
Favorite striking technique: 1-3-2 liver kick
