Raquel Pennington

Pennington grew up playing many sports from basketball, softball, volleyball, running cross country and always wanted to box. She graduated from Harrison High School in 2007 as secretary of the National Honors Society, with many athletic and academic scholarships. She never played sports on a collegiate level due to a broken back.{{Cite web |date=2018-09-14 |title=Raquel Pennington |url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/raquel-pennington |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=UFC |language=en}}

Pennington started training in martial arts at the age of 19, though initially her parents would not let her fight.{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/raquel-pennington|title=Raquel Pennington - Official UFC Fighter Profile|publisher=UFC|access-date=September 5, 2015}} She fought in amateur MMA from 2009 to 2011, amassing a record of 7 wins and 1 loss with five of those wins by submission.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Raquel-Pennington-75564|title=Raquel "Rocky" Pennington MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography|publisher=Sherdog.com|access-date=April 19, 2014}} Her professional debut was in March 2012, a TKO victory against Kim Couture.

Pennington made her Invicta Fighting Championships promotional debut against future The Ultimate Fighter team mate Sarah Moras on July 28, 2012, at Invicta FC 2. She won via unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Olympic-Silver-Medalist-Sara-McMann-Downs-Shayna-Baszler-at-Invicta-FC-2-44507|title=Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann downs Shayna Baszler at Invicta FC 2|publisher=Sherdog.com|author=Brian Knapp|date=July 29, 2012|access-date=December 2, 2013}}

Her next two fights for the promotion were both losses; one to Cat Zingano at Invicta FC 3{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jessica-Penne-Triangles-Naho-Sugiyama-Captures-Atomweight-Gold-at-Invicta-FC-3-46279|title=Jessica Penne triangles Naho Sugiyama captures atomweight gold at Invicta FC 3|publisher=Sherdog.com|author=Brian Knapp|date=October 6, 2012|access-date=December 2, 2013}} and one to Leslie Smith at Invicta FC 4.{{cite web| url = http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2013/01/05/invicta-fc-4-results-carla-esparza-wins-strawweight-title/| title = Invicta FC 4 Results: Carla Esparza Wins Strawweight Title| author = Sargent, Robert| date = 2013-01-05| work = Articles| publisher = MMARising.com| location = Canada| access-date = 2013-05-01}}

In August 2013, Pennington was announced as a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/8/15/4624174/tuf-18-cast-revealed-with-male-and-female-bantamweights|title=TUF 18 cast revealed with male and female bantamweights|publisher=MMAfighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=August 15, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2013}} She defeated veteran Tonya Evinger via submission due to a guillotine choke in the second round and was the third female pick of Team Tate.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2013/09/episode-no-1-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-18-team-rousey-vs-team-tate/|title=Episode No. 1 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 18: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate'|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2013}}

Raquel Pennington faced Jessamyn Duke in the elimination round. Pennington defeated Duke via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 29–28){{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2013/10/episode-no-6-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-team-rousey-vs-team-tate/|title=Episode No. 6 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate'|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=October 10, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2013}} and the performance earned both participants Fight of The Season honors.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2013/12/1/5162312/ultimate-fighter-tuf-18-season-bonuses-rakoczy-duke-pennington-moras-bank-25K|title=Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 season bonuses: Rakoczy, Duke, Pennington, and Moras bank $25K|publisher=MMAmania.com|author=Geno Mrosko|date=December 1, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2013}}

Advancing to the semi-final, Pennington next faced former boxing champion Jessica Rakoczy in the final episode of the series. Prior to the fight, Pennington damaged her hand but was still able to fight. She lost a unanimous decision to Rakoczy (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27).{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2013/11/episode-no-13-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-team-rousey-vs-team-tate|title=Episode No. 13 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate'|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=November 27, 2013}}

Pennington made her promotional debut against TUF 18 team mate Roxanne Modafferi on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. She won via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28).{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2013/11/tuf-18-finale-results-raquel-pennington-gets-past-tuf-teammate-roxanne-modafferi|title=TUF 18 Finale results: Raquel Pennington gets past 'TUF' teammate Roxanne Modafferi|publisher=UFC|author=Matt Erickson|date=November 30, 2013}}

For her second fight with the promotion, Pennington replaced an injured Julianna Peña against Jéssica Andrade on March 15, 2014, at UFC 171. She lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/03/ufc-171-results-jessica-andrade-slugs-way-past-raquel-pennington-for-split-win|title=UFC 171 results: Jessica Andrade slugs way past Raquel Pennington for split win|publisher=UFC|author=Matt Erickson|date=March 15, 2014}}

Pennington was scheduled to face Holly Holm at UFC 181 on December 6, 2014. However, Holm pulled out of the fight in mid-November, citing a neck injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/11870732/ex-top-female-boxer-holly-holm-pulls-ufc-debut|title=Holly Holm pulls out of UFC debut|publisher=ESPN|author=AP Newswire|date=2014-11-13|access-date=2014-11-13}} Holm was replaced by UFC newcomer Ashlee Evans-Smith.{{cite web|url=http://www.mikethetruth.com/2014/11/ashlee-evans-smith-signs-with-ufc-replaces-holly-holm/|title=Ashlee Evans-Smith signs with UFC, replaces Holly Holm|publisher=mikethetruth.com|author=Mike Jackson|date=2014-11-18|access-date=2014-11-18}} Pennington won the fight via technical submission due to a bulldog choke at the end of the first round. She became the 4th fighter in UFC history to finish a fight with that move.{{cite web |title=Clip Of The Day: Raquel Pennington chokes out Ashlee Evans-Smith |url=https://www.bjpenn.com/ufcnews/clip-of-the-day-raquel-pennington-chokes-out-ashlee-evans-smith/ |website=bjpenn.com |access-date=3 June 2022 |date=14 January 2016}}

Pennington fought Holly Holm at UFC 184 on February 28, 2015,{{cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Duane |title=Raquel Pennington Ready to Derail Holly Holm's Hype Train at UFC 184 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2378641-raquel-pennington-ready-to-derail-holly-holms-hype-train-at-ufc-184?embedded=true&sic=cnn-app |website=bleacherreport.com |access-date=3 June 2022 |date=27 February 2015}} a bout that was originally supposed to take place at UFC 181.{{cite web |last1=MMA Junkie Staff |title=Holly Holm suffers neck injury, out of UFC debut opposite Raquel Pennington |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2014/11/holly-holm-suffers-neck-injury-out-of-ufc-debut-opposite-raquel-pennington |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |access-date=3 June 2022 |date=13 November 2014}} She lost the fight via split decision.{{cite web |last1=Brookhouse |first1=Brent |title=UFC 184 results, photos: Heavily hyped Holly Holm takes split from Raquel Pennington |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2015/02/ufc-184-results-photos-heavily-hyped-holly-holm-takes-split-from-raquel-pennington |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |access-date=3 June 2022 |date=28 February 2015}}

Pennington was set to take on Liz Carmouche at UFC 191. Carmouche was then replaced by former opponent Jéssica Andrade.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jessica-Andrade-Replaces-Liz-Carmouche-Rematches-Raquel-Pennington-at-UFC-191-90865|title=Jessica Andrade Replaces Liz Carmouche, Rematches Raquel Pennington at UFC 191|publisher=Sherdog.com|author=Mike Sloan|date=2015-08-19|access-date=2015-08-19}} Pennington won the rematch by submission in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/09/ufc-191-results-highlights-raquel-pennington-taps-jessica-andrade-on-revenge-tour|title=UFC 191 results, highlights: Raquel Pennington taps Jessica Andrade on 'revenge tour'|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Brent Brookhouse|access-date=2015-09-05|date=2015-09-05}} The submission earned her a Performance of the Night bonus.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-191-Bonuses-John-Lineker-Francisco-Rivera-Garner-3650K-for-Wild-Slugfest-91829|title=UFC 191 Bonuses: John Lineker, Francisco Rivera garner $50K for wild slugfest|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|access-date=2015-09-05|date=2015-09-05}}

Pennington faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion and former TUF Coach Miesha Tate at UFC 205 on November 12, 2016. She won the fight by unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, and 30–27), outstriking and outwrestling Tate for all three rounds.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/11/ufc-205-results-raquel-pennington-dominates-miesha-tate-who-announces-retirement-1|title=UFC 205 results: Raquel Pennington dominates Miesha Tate, who announces retirement|date=2016-11-13|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-04-27|language=en-US}}

After being away from fighting for about a year and a half, Pennington faced Amanda Nunes on May 12, 2018, at UFC 224 in a UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship bout.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/2/23/17046726/amanda-nunes-to-defend-title-against-raquel-pennington-at-ufc-224|title=Amanda Nunes to defend title against Raquel Pennington at UFC 224|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=2018-02-23|access-date=2018-02-23}} Pennington lost the fight via TKO in the fifth round.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2018/05/ufc-224-results-amanda-nunes-batters-raquel-pennington-scores-blood-soaked-final-round-stoppage|title=UFC 224 results: Amanda Nunes batters Raquel Pennington, scores blood-soaked 5th-round stoppage|date=2018-05-13|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-05-13|language=en-US}} This was the first event in UFC history to be headlined by two openly gay fighters.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ufc-224-amanda-nunes-raquel-pennington-queer/|title=UFC's Next Big Event is Headlined By Two Queer Women. It's a Big Deal.|access-date=2018-05-16|archive-date=2018-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705175421/https://waypoint.vice.com/amp/en_us/article/a3awvk/ufc-224-amanda-nunes-raquel-pennington-queer|url-status=live}}

Pennington returned at UFC Fight Night 139 on November 10, 2018, where she took on former UFC featherweight champ Germaine de Randamie.{{Cite news|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2018/08/09/germaine-de-randamie-vs-raquel-pennington-leads-trio-womens-bouts-ufc-denver/|title=Germaine de Randamie vs. Raquel Pennington Leads Trio of Women's Bouts at UFC Denver|publisher=cagesidepress.com |author=Jay Anderson|date=2018-08-09|access-date=2018-08-09}} She lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/11/11/18083884/ufc-denver-results-germaine-de-randamie-cruises-to-decision-over-raquel-pennington|title=UFC Denver results: Germaine de Randamie cruises to decision over Raquel Pennington|work=MMA Fighting|access-date=2018-11-11}}

Pennington faced Irene Aldana on July 20, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 4.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/5/16/18628660/ufc-san-antonio-bouts-announced-liz-carmouche-vs-roxanne-modafferi-aleksei-oleinik-vs-walt-harris|title=UFC San Antonio bouts announced, including Liz Carmouche vs. Roxanne Modafferi, Aleksei Oleinik vs. Walt Harris|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2019-05-16|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=2019-05-17}} She won the fight via split decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/07/20/ufc-san-antonio-results-raquel-pennington-snaps-skid-win-irene-aldana/|title=UFC San Antonio Results: Raquel Pennington Snaps Skid with Split-Decision Win Over Irene Aldana|last=Harshman|first=Heath|date=2019-07-20|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-21}}

Pennington was scheduled to face Holly Holm in a rematch on October 6, 2019, at UFC 243.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Holly-HolmRaquel-Pennington-Rematch-Set-for-UFC-243-in-Melbourne-159765|title=Holly Holm-Raquel Pennington Rematch Set for UFC 243 in Melbourne|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-08-07}} However, on September 27, it was revealed Holm withdrew from the bout due to a hamstring injury and the bout was cancelled.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/09/ufc-243-holly-holm-injured-rematch-raquel-pennington-scratched|title=Holly Holm injured, rematch with Raquel Pennington scratched from UFC 243|date=2019-09-28|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-09-28}} The pair was rescheduled to fight on January 18, 2020, at UFC 246.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/12/2/20992233/mma-ufc-holly-holm-raquel-pennington-2-scheduled-246-wmma-rocky-preachers-daughter|title=Holly Holm vs Raquel Pennington 2 rescheduled for UFC 246|last=Rodriguez|first=Victor|date=2019-12-02|website=Bloody Elbow|language=en|access-date=2019-12-02}} She lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/01/19/ufc-246-results-holly-holm/|title=UFC 246 Results: Holly Holm Gets Much-Needed Win Against Raquel Pennington|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2020-01-19|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-19}}

Pennington faced Marion Reneau on June 20, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov.{{Cite web|title=Modafferi vs. Murphy & Pennington vs. Reneau op 20 juni aanstaande|url=https://mmadna.nl/modafferi-vs-murphy-pennington-vs-reneau-op-20-juni-aanstaande/|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=21 May 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-22}} She won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/06/20/ufc-on-espn-11-results-raquel-pennington-vs-marion-reneau/|title=UFC on ESPN 11 Results: Raquel Pennington's Clinch Work the Difference Against Marion Reneau|author=Jay Anderson|date=2020-06-21|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-21}}

Pennington accepted a six-month USADA suspension after self-reporting a doping violation upon realizing she had ingested banned substances, 7-Keto-DHEA and AOD-9064, prescribed by her doctor to treat a medical condition. The suspension was retroactive to November 17, 2020, and she would be eligible to fight again on May 7, 2021.{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2021-01-28|title=Raquel Pennington accepts six-month USADA suspension after self-reporting doping violation|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/1/28/22254675/raquel-pennington-accepts-six-month-usada-suspension-after-self-reporting-doping-violation|access-date=2021-01-29|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}

Pennington faced Pannie Kianzad on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-07-04|title=Pannie Kianzad treft Raquel Pennington op 18 september|url=https://mmadna.nl/pannie-kianzad-treft-raquel-pennington-op-18-september/|access-date=2021-07-04|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} She won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2021-09-18|title=UFC Vegas 37 Results: Raquel Pennington Edges Out Pannie Kianzad|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/09/18/ufc-vegas-37-results-raquel-pennington-edges-pannie-kianzad/|access-date=2021-09-18|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Pennington was scheduled to face Julia Avila on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 199.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-09-29|title=Raquel Pennington treft Julia Avila tijdens laatste UFC evenement van 2021 op 18 december|url=https://mmadna.nl/raquel-pennington-treft-julia-avila-tijdens-laatste-ufc-evenement-van-2021-op-18-december/|access-date=2021-09-30|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} However, Avila was forced to pull from the event due to injury.{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2021-12-05|title=Julia Avila out of UFC Vegas 45 matchup against Raquel Pennington due to injury|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/12/5/22817913/julia-avila-out-of-ufc-vegas-45-matchup-against-raquel-pennington-due-to-injury|access-date=2021-12-06|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} She was replaced by Macy Chiasson.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/short-notice-partij-voor-macy-chiasson-tegen-raquel-pennington-op-18-december-in-las-vegas/|title=Short notice partij voor Macy Chiasson tegen Raquel Pennington op 18 december in Las Vegas|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2021-12-07|access-date=2021-12-07}} {{in lang|nl}} At the weigh-ins, Chiasson weighed in at 148.5 pounds, 3.5 pounds over the women's featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight with Chiasson fined a percentage of her purse, which went to Pennington.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/12/ufc-fight-night-199-derrick-lewis-chris-daukaus-weigh-in-results-live-video-streamm|title=UFC Fight Night 199 weigh-in results: Three fighters miss weight for 2021 finale|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2021-12-17|access-date=2021-12-17}} Pennington won the fight via guillotine submission in the second round.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2021-12-18|title=UFC Vegas 45 Results: Raquel Pennington Submits Macy Chiasson|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/12/18/ufc-vegas-45-results-raquel-pennington-submits-macy-chiasson/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Pennington faced Aspen Ladd, replacing Irene Aldana, on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/26/22997770/with-irene-aldana-out-raquel-pennington-steps-in-to-face-aspen-ladd-at-ufc-273|title=With Irene Aldana out, Raquel Pennington steps in to face Aspen Ladd at UFC 273|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Heck|date=2022-03-26|access-date=2022-03-27}} She won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Behunin |first=Alex |date=2022-04-09 |title=UFC 273: Raquel Pennington Captures Unanimous Decision Against Aspen Ladd |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/04/09/ufc-273-raquel-pennington-defeats-aspen-ladd-via-unanimous-decision/ |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Pennington faced Ketlen Vieira on January 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 217.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/10/13/23402859/ketlen-vieira-raquel-pennington-added-first-ufc-card-of-2023|title=Ketlen Vieira vs. Raquel Pennington added to first UFC card of 2023|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=2022-10-13|access-date=2022-10-13}} She won the fight via split decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/01/14/ufc-vegas-67-ketlen-vieira-vs-raquel-pennington/|title=UFC Vegas 67: Razor-Close Fight Sees Raquel Pennington Come Out Ahead of Ketlen Vieira|website=Cageside Press|author=Jay Anderson|date=2023-01-14|access-date=2023-01-14}}

Pennington was scheduled to rematch Irene Aldana on May 20, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 223.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-18 |title=Irene Aldana vs. Raquel Pennington main event among additions to UFC card May 20 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/04/ufc-news-irene-aldana-vs-raquel-pennington-may-20-fight-card |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} However on May 2, 2023, it was announced that Aldana would instead replace an injured Julianna Peña in headlining UFC 289 on June 10, 2023, in a Bantamweight Championship match against champion Amanda Nunes.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-02|title= Irene Aldana replaces Julianna Peña at UFC 289, challenges Amanda Nunes for title|url= https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/05/ufc-289-news-irene-aldana-vs-amanda-nunes-julianna-pena-rib-injury |access-date=2023-05-02|website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} A few days later it was announced that Pennington would serve as a backup for the title bout.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/05/ufc-289-news-dana-white-raquel-pennington-backup-for-amanda-nunes-vs-irene-aldana-title-fight|title=Dana White: Raquel Pennington will be backup for Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana title fight at UFC 289|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2023-05-05|access-date=2023-05-06}}

Pennington faced Mayra Bueno Silva on January 20, 2024, at UFC 297 for the vacant UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmanews.com/.amp/news/ufc-pennington-mayra-bueno-silva-booked-vacant-title|title=UFC 297: Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva Booked For Vacant UFC Bantamweight Title|publisher=mmanews.com|author=Curtis Calhoun|date=2023-11-03|access-date=2023-11-03}} She won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2024-01-21 |title=Raquel Pennington Outlasts Silva, Wins Women's Bantamweight Title |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/01/21/raquel-pennington-outlasts-silva-wins-womens-bantamweight-title/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Pennington faced former UFC Bantamweight champion Julianna Peña on October 5, 2024 at UFC 307.{{Cite web |title=Report: Julianna Pena and Raquel Pennington slated for title bout later this year |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/article/report-julianna-pena-and-raquel-pennington-slated-for-title-bout-later-this-year/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |publisher=www.sportsnet.ca |language=en}} She lost the championship by split decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/10/06/ufc-307-despite-knockdown-head-kick-julianna-pena-dethrones-raquel-pennington/|title=UFC 307: Despite Knockdown, Head Kick, Julianna Pena Dethrones Raquel Pennington|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2024-10-05|access-date=2024-10-05}} 25 out of 26 media outlets scored the bout for Pennington and one scored it as a draw.{{Cite web|url=http://mmadecisions.com/decision/15029/Julianna-Pena-vs-Raquel-Pennington|title=MMA Decisions - Julianna Peña defeats Raquel Pennington|publisher=mmadecisions.com|author=MMA Decisions|date=2024-10-05|access-date=2024-10-05}}

Pennington is openly lesbian. She is married to UFC Strawweight Tecia Torres.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/fightin-words-1.811935/tuf-s-raquel-pennington-on-being-a-gay-athlete-1.6188746|title=TUF's Raquel Pennington on being a gay athlete|publisher=newsday.com|date=October 3, 2013|author=Mark LaMonica}}{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/5/14/15637310/ufc-fighters-tecia-torres-raquel-pennington-get-engaged|title=UFC fighters Tecia Torres, Raquel Pennington get engaged|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=MMA Fighting Newswire|date=2017-05-14|access-date=2018-08-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2022/7/29/23283027/midnight-mania-ufc-contenders-tecia-torres-raquel-pennington-onlyfans-fund-wedding-espn|title=UFC contenders Tecia Torres and Raquel Pennington marry, use OnlyFans to fund wedding|date=29 July 2022}} The couple announced the birth of their baby daughter in June 2023.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/sports/ufc-fighters-raquel-pennington-tecia-172504808.html|title=UFC fighters Raquel Pennington, Tecia Torres announce birth of baby girl on Instagram|date=June 3, 2023}} She is half Mexican and half Caucasian.{{Cite web |last=yadav |first=Ishan |date=2024-10-03 |title=Raquel Pennington Nickname ‘Rocky’ – Meaning and Origin Behind the UFC Champ’s Famous Moniker |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-raquel-pennington-nickname-rocky-meaning-and-origin-behind-the-ufc-champs-famous-moniker/# |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=EssentiallySports |language=en}}

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
• UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship (One time)
• The Ultimate Fighter 18 Fight of the Season {{small|vs. Jessamyn Duke}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2013/12/1/5162312/ultimate-fighter-tuf-18-season-bonuses-rakoczy-duke-pennington-moras-bank-25K |title=Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 season bonuses: Rakoczy, Duke, Pennington, and Moras bank $25K |website=MMAmania.com |date=December 2013 |access-date=2016-09-05}}
• Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Jéssica Andrade
• Most bouts in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (18)
• Most total fight time in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (4:42:33){{cite web|url=http://statleaders.ufc.com/?fighter_status=0&weight_class=WBW|title=UFC Records - Women's Bantamweight |website=UFC|access-date=2022-04-09}}
• Second most wins in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (12)
• Most significant strikes landed in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (1148)
• Most total strikes landed in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (1687)
• Tied (Miesha Tate & Ailín Pérez) for third longest win streak in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (5)
• Second most control time in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (1:05:12)
• Third highest significant strike defense in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (60.8%)
• Second most submission attempts in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (11)
• Most decision wins in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (10)
• Most decision bouts in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (14)
• Most unanimous decision wins in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (7)
• Tied (Ketlen Vieira) for most split decision wins in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (3)
• UFC.com Awards
• 2014: Ranked #7 Submission of the Year {{small|vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/top-ten-submissions-2014|title=Top Ten - The Submissions of 2014|date=December 24, 2014|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship}}

{{MMArecordbox

|draws=

|nc=

|ko-wins=1

|sub-wins=4

|dec-wins=11

|ko-losses=1

|sub-losses=1

|dec-losses=7

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

|other-wins=

|other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|16–9

|Julianna Peña

|Decision (split)

|UFC 307

|{{dts|2024|October|5}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

|{{small|Lost the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|16–8

|Mayra Bueno Silva

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 297

|{{dts|2024|January|20}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Toronto, Ontario, Canada

|{{small|Won the vacant UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|15–8

|Ketlen Vieira

|Decision (split)

|UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov

|{{dts|2023|January|14}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–8

|Aspen Ladd

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 273

|{{dts|2022|April|9}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Jacksonville, Florida, United States

|{{small|Return to Bantamweight.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–8

|Macy Chiasson

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus

|{{dts|2021|December|18}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:07

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Featherweight debut; Chiasson missed weight (148.5 lb).}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–8

|Pannie Kianzad

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann

|{{dts|2021|September|18}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|11–8

|Marion Reneau

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov

|{{dts|2020|June|20}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|10–8

|Holly Holm

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 246

|{{dts|2020|January|18}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|10–7

|Irene Aldana

|Decision (split)

|UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards

|{{dts|2019|July|20}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|San Antonio, Texas, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|9–7

|Germaine de Randamie

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez

|{{dts|2018|November|10}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Denver, Colorado, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (138 lb) bout; Pennington missed weight.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|9–6

|Amanda Nunes

|TKO (punches)

|UFC 224

|{{dts|2018|May|12}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|2:36

|Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

|{{small|For the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|9–5

|Miesha Tate

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 205

|{{dts|2016|November|12}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|New York City, New York, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|8–5

|Elizabeth Phillips

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 202

|{{dts|2016|August|20}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|7–5

|Bethe Correia

|Decision (split)

|UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans

|{{dts|2016|April|16}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Tampa, Florida, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|6–5

|Jéssica Andrade

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|UFC 191

|{{dts|2015|September|5}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:58

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|5–5

|Holly Holm

|Decision (split)

|UFC 184

|{{dts|2015|February|28}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Los Angeles, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|5–4

|Ashlee Evans-Smith

|Technical Submission (bulldog choke)

|UFC 181

|{{dts|2014|December|6}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:59

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|4–4

|Jéssica Andrade

|Decision (split)

|UFC 171

|{{dts|2014|March|15}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Dallas, Texas, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|4–3

|Roxanne Modafferi

|Decision (unanimous)

|The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale

|{{dts|2013|November|30}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|3–3

|Leslie Smith

|Decision (unanimous)

|Invicta FC: Esparza vs. Hyatt

|{{dts|2013|January|5}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Kansas City, Kansas, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|3–2

|Cat Zingano

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Invicta FC: Penne vs. Sugiyama

|{{dts|2012|October|6}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:32

|Kansas City, Kansas, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|3–1

|Raquel Pa'aluhi

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|Destiny MMA: Na Koa 1

|{{dts|2012|September|08}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:52

|Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

|{{small|Won the Destiny MMA World / Hawaiian Islands Bantamweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|2–1

|Sarah Moras

|Decision (unanimous)

|Invicta FC: Baszler vs. McMann

|{{dts|2012|July|28}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Kansas City, Kansas, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|1–1

|Tori Adams

|Decision (unanimous)

|RMBB: A Champion's Quest

|{{dts|2012|June|22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Sheridan, Colorado, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–0

|Kim Couture

|TKO (knees to the body)

|MFP: Vengeance

|{{dts|2012|March|13}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:25

|Casper, Wyoming, United States

|{{small|Bantamweight debut.}}

{{end}}

{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Raquel-Pennington-75564|title=Raquel|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2018-11-11}}

{{MMA exhibition record box

|draws=

|nc=

|ko-wins=

|ko-losses=

|sub-wins=1

|sub-losses=

|dec-wins=1

|dec-losses=1

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

|other-wins=

|other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center |2–1

|Jessica Rakoczy

|Decision (unanimous)

|rowspan=3|The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate

|{{dts|2013|November|27}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|rowspan=3|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|The Ultimate Fighter 18 Semifinal bout.

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center |2–0

|Jessamyn Duke

|Decision (unanimous)

|{{dts|2013|October|9}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|The Ultimate Fighter 18 Quarterfinal bout.

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center |1–0

|Tonya Evinger

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|{{dts|2013|September|4}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:56

|The Ultimate Fighter 18 Preliminary bout.

{{end}}

{{MMA amateur record box

|draws=

|nc=

|ko-wins=

|ko-losses=

|sub-wins=5

|sub-losses=

|dec-wins=2

|dec-losses=1

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

|other-wins=

|other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|7–1

|Heather Denny

|Submission (triangle choke)

|RMBB: Extreme MMA

|{{dts|2011|August|12}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|1:59

|Sheridan, Colorado, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|6–1

|J.J. Aldrich

|Submission (triangle choke)

|RMBB: Bad Girlz Gone Wild

|{{dts|2011|January|21}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|1:44

|Sheridan, Colorado, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|5–1

|Taylor Stratford

|Decision (split)

|URC 13: Brute Force

|{{dts|2010|June|11}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|3:00

|Reno, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|5–0

|Tsui-Jen Cunanan

|Decision (unanimous)

|RMBB: Caged Madness

|{{dts|2010|January|16}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|3:00

|Sheridan, Colorado, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|4–0

|Kyane Hampton

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|NMEF: Annihilation 20

|{{dts|2009|october|24}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:45

|Greeley, Colorado, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|3–0

|Kyane Hampton

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Kickdown 67: Blast

|{{dts|2009|June|20}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:52

|Denver, Colorado, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|2–0

|Ericka Trujillo

|Decision (unanimous)

|Kickdown 62: Extreme

|{{dts|2009|April|05}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|3:00

|Casper, Wyoming, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–0

|Staci Vega

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|Kickdown 60: Supremacy

|{{dts|2009|February|21}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:45

|Casper, Wyoming, United States

|

{{end}}

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of female mixed martial artists

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{UFC|raquel-pennington}}
• {{Sherdog|75564}}

{{UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship}}

{{UFC Women's pound-for-pound Rankings}}

{{UFC Women's Bantamweight Rankings}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pennington, Raquel}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:American female mixed martial artists

Category:American female Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners

Category:American mixed martial artists of Mexican descent

Category:American lesbian sportswomen

Category:LGBTQ mixed martial artists

Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:University of Colorado Colorado Springs alumni

Category:LGBTQ people from Colorado

Category:LGBTQ Hispanic and Latino American people

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship champions

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship female fighters

Category:LGBTQ Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners

Category:21st-century American sportswomen

Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people