UFC’s women’s bantamweight champion, Raquel Pennington, isn’t particularly keen on facing Kayla Harrison in her next bout.
Pennington, who secured her championship title with a convincing unanimous decision victory over Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 in January, has been eyeing a showdown with former champion Julianna Pena. However, the spotlight has shifted towards Harrison’s promotional debut against Holly Holm at UFC 300 next month, marking a significant moment in the sport.
With much anticipation surrounding the outcome of Harrison vs. Holm, Pennington finds herself paying close attention. In a recent interview with LowKick MMA, she expressed her reservations about the possibility of facing Harrison next.
The crux of Pennington’s reluctance lies in the fact that Harrison, despite her impressive credentials as a former PFL tournament winner and Olympic Judoka, would have only one UFC fight under her belt if she were to challenge for the title after defeating Holm. According to Pennington, this would mean Harrison essentially bypassed the established line of contenders.
“For me, it’s Julianna Pena,” Pennington asserted when asked about her preferred opponent for her title defense. “That’s what me and my team are preparing for, and it makes sense.”
However, Pennington acknowledges the reality of UFC’s business strategies, which sometimes prioritize fast-tracking fighters with significant names. She understands that a victory for Harrison at UFC 300 could potentially change the landscape of title contention in the division.
“I wouldn’t be surprised after UFC 300 next month if Kayla wins, if a phone call is a lot different after that fight,” Pennington remarked. “But we’ll see. For me, I think it’s Julianna. Just from having to grind from the bottom up, never being handed anything, there’s a lot of women in this division who have been busting their ass for years and years. They’re wanting opportunities, I do not find it fair.”
Despite her reservations, Pennington remains open to facing any opponent, embracing the challenges that come with being a champion in one of the most competitive divisions in UFC. However, she emphasizes the importance of fairness and meritocracy in determining title challengers, particularly in a sport where hard work and dedication are paramount.
