The “Tiny Tornado” that is Tecia Pennington blew into the UFC Apex on Saturday, taking on Brazilian Luana Pinheiro to kick off UFC Vegas 106.
Pennington was looking to build on a fall win over Carla Esparza, in the former champ’s retirement fight.
Early on in Monday’s strawweight battle, Pennington and Pinheiro traded single strikes, going through a bit of a feeling out process with both ladies looking to find their range. Pennington had the edge in speed early, Pinheiro the power advantage. Pennington would dart in and out, closing the distance, firing two and three punch combos, then exiting. Pinheiro looked the change the pace by changing levels, but wasn’t anywhere near finishing the takedown attempt that ensued. Late in the round, however, Pinheiro connected with a punch, and Pennington hit the mat – though perhaps more a result of being off-balance than the actual force of the blow.
Pinheiro, as she had a couple of times in the opening frame, fanned on a high kicks early in round two. She would connect with a low kick, however, landing with a crack more than once in the opening 90 seconds of the second. Pinheiro’s right hand and kicks were there for her through the first half, and in the back half of the round, both women landed some clean shots, giving the other pause.
After a more active second round, the third found Pinheiro’s energy levels flagging. She was less active with her kicks, and less mobile, plodding forward slowly while Pennington fired her own kicks and combos. Pinheiro had little answer until a brief takedown with about two minutes to go. Tecia Pennington, however, would not stay down. Pinheiro would land a second takedown, but Pennington again scrambled back up. A mat return followed, with Pennington back to her feet; a throw by Pinheiro followed. The late second wind from Pinheiro left Pennington fighting off her back a bit, and after getting up and having her own takedown reversed, Pennington would finish the frame on her back.
The win is Pennington’s second straight, while it’s the fourth straight setback for Luana Pinheiro. In her post-fight interview, Pennington questioned her spot in the rankings, which was 13th to start the night.
Official Result: Tecia Pennington def. Luana Pinheiro by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
