Raquel Pennington is looking at a very big 2023.
Raquel and wife Tecia Pennington (nee Torres, though the “Tiny Tornado” has opted to take on the Pennington name) recently announced they are expecting their first child. That puts Tecia on ice fight-wise for a bit, but UFC women’s bantamweight Raquel, who was nominated for the 2022 Female Fighter of the Year at the 14th Annual World MMA Awards, has a fight in January.
And if all goes well against Ketlen Vieira, “Rocky” could be up for a title shot. She certainly believes so.
“We’re gonna open the new year with a bang, get my hand raised again January 14, and then from there, five fight win streak— you can’t deny me anymore,” Pennington told Cageside Press at the World MMA Awards on Friday. “So world title shot’s right around the corner.”
Being nominated for Female Fighter of the Year was an honor, Pennington also told us (the award eventually went to Valentina Shevchenko). “It’s just another stepping stone in my journey, and honestly, it’s an honor. To see where the sport has come to and where everything has grown, and to have some of the top women in the world — I mean we’re what, one of five women in the world to be nominated for this award? I’m truly honored.”
As for wife Tecia, according to Raquel, she’s still sporting abs at 14 weeks pregnant. “I can still flex them a little bit at 14 weeks,” Tecia told us, admitting that her body is a little different these days. “But I’m creating a human being, so it’s worth it.”
Watch our full interview with Raquel and Tecia Pennington from the 14th Annual MMA Awards above.
