Maybe it was due to Esparza retiring in the fight, a former two-time champ at 115lbs in the UFC, and title holder in Invicta (in both promotions, in fact, she was the inaugural strawweight champion). Maybe it was the flurry of action from Esparza at the end of the third, which saw her earn a late takedown and drop some smashing elbows.

Still, Pennington was confident when the scorecards were read. At least initially.

“Honestly I was. I was confident until, when they said 30-27, that’s when I got worried. Because I was like, I saw it 29-28,” Pennington (14-7) told media outlets including Cageside Press backstage at the Delta Center. “I’m just being honest, I don’t meant to be like, oh, whatever. I saw her winning the first [round], and me winning the last two. So I thought I had it, confident again. When they said 30-27, I was like mother— did they do it to me again? But then they called my name, so I was happy.”

Pennington, a.k.a. “The Tiny Tornado,” wasn’t sure exactly why the crowd reacted the way it did, suggesting it might have been due to Esparza getting a late takedown at the end of the third.

“The crowd, whatever, I’m sorry. If you said ‘boo,’ like boo-hoo to you I guess,” she stated. “It’s [the scorecards] finally on my side, so I’m happy.”

Pennington was more than game for the striking exchanges in the fight, though it certainly wasn’t a case of fireworks from bell to bell.

“The few times she did exchange with me, I was like ‘man let’s go!’ But she’s not into doing that, so I did what I needed to do to win.”

As to where a win over Esparza, given her pedigree, leaves Tecia Pennington, “I think I should be number nine or ten,” she suggested. “Again, I’ve been in the sport a long time. I don’t need to say I’m number five in the world. I think I deserve to be like number nine or ten, in the top ten, fighting a top ten opponent my next fight. I’d love to fight another striker, that would be awesome, so we can just bang in there, I’m down to do that.”

Watch the full UFC 307 post-fight press conference appearance by Tecia Pennington above.

The post Despite Crowd’s Reaction, Tecia Pennington Believes She Beat Esparza at UFC 307 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Esparza, who had also claimed gold in Invicta FC, was the inaugural 115lb champion both in that promotion and the UFC, having won The Ultimate Fighter 20 a decade ago. After winning the belt a second time in 2022, Esparza lost it in her first title defense, and had not fought since, a span of nearly two years, taking time off to start a family.

Pennington walked forward early in the opening round, finding a home for her right hand more than once. Esparza returned fire, but was soon backed up by another Pennington volley. Pennington mixed in a low kick, then another, not much behind them, but overall, she was dictating the fight. About two minutes in, things got a little scrappier, with both women landing. Pennington appeared to clip the former champ, which resulted in a shot from Carla and the pair going down. Esparza came out on top in the ensuing scramble, dodging an upkick then getting into side control.

From there, Esparza was able to land a couple of elbows. They briefly went to north-south before Esparza returned to side control. Moments later, Esparza nearly had a crucifix, but Pennington managed to trap a leg, preventing Esparza from locking it in. Soon, Esparza freed that leg, but the crucifix was no longer in play.

Round two saw Pennington work her outside leg kick, while being careful not to overcommit on anything for fear of being planted on her back again. That led to a slightly less busy fight in the first half of the round, with Tecia firing kicks and the odd combo. With about 90 seconds left, Pennington nearly caught an Esparza kick but didn’t have it. And Pennington continued to throw less volume. Esparza then chose to shoot in, only to end up being clipped, with Pennington launching a few more big shots. Esparza, however, found her opening, and landed a key takedown with just over 30 seconds on the clock. Luckily for Pennington, she was able to bounce right back up, negating a big takedown in a close round.

Round three opened with the pair very possibly tied, depending on how the judges scored round two. Esparza’s corner had urged her to secure a takedown earlier in the round, but through two and a half minutes, she was unable to do so. Pennington meanwhile continued to kick the calf of the ex-champ. Esparza then connected with a punch, surprising both Pennington and fans in the building who might have been expecting her to shoot a takedown. Another flurry from Esparza saw her land, but this time, Pennington fired back, connecting with a solid blow of her own. Despite her bread and butter being in the wrestling department, in the final round of her career, Esparza just couldn’t make a takedown happen. She was, however, in Pennington’s face in the final 90 seconds, showing a scrappier side to her game then usual. And, in the final 20 seconds, Esparza did land one last takedown, finishing the fight on top dropping elbows.

That wasn’t enough to placate the judges, however, who scored it unanimously for Tecia Pennington – including all three rounds being awarded to Pennington on one scorecard. That confused many, and the fans in Salt Lake City let it be known that they were not on board with the decision.

Following the fight, the promotion aired a highlights package including both Invicta and UFC clips featuring Carla Esparza, similar to what they did for Robbie Lawler upon his farewell.

Official Result: Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

The post UFC 307: Tecia Pennington Gets Nod on Scorecards Over Retiring Carla Esparza appeared first on Cageside Press.

Esparza (19-7), 36, the UFC’s inaugural 115lb champ, announced the news on Friday, revealing that her reported date with Tecia Pennington (13-7) at UFC 307 will serve as her retirement fight.

News of the booking was first reported by MMA Junkie a day prior to Esparza’s announcement. UFC 307 is expected to take place on October 5, 2024 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Esparza, who will enter the fight off a loss to Weili Zhang that ended her second stint as champ, wrote on social media that “I will be stepping into The UFC Octagon on Saturday, October 5th for the final time. After almost 15 years as a professional, fighting the best of the best, I feel it’s time to hang up my gloves. This choice is made for my body and my family; 20+ years doing combat sports takes its toll.”

“I wanted to give my ‘Cookie Monster’ fans, who have never been there to watch me live, one final opportunity. It feels bittersweet to leave this sport that I love so much, but I’m happy to be doing it on my own terms.”

Esparza first captured strawweight gold in the UFC in 2014, defeating Rose Namajunas to win The Ultimate Fighter 20 and the UFC’s inaugural women’s 115lb title in the process. She would lose the belt one fight later to Joanna Jedrzejczyk, the most dominant strawweight champ in the promotion’s history. But Esparza kept grinding, and worked her way back to a title shot in 2022 – coincidentally, also against Namajunas, who was on her own second stint as champ. Esparza again defeated “Thug” Rose, only to lose the belt to Zhang.

In 2013, just prior to her UFC run, Carla Esparza became the inaugural Invicta FC strawweight champ.

Tecia Pennington (nee Torres) will enter the fight looking to put back-to-back losses to Tabatha Ricci and Mackenzie Dern behind her.

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Promotion officials announced the new destination over the weekend, marking another rare Fight Night card to be held outside the confines of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Thus far in 2024, only Mexico City (last month) and Atlantic City (at the end of March) have seen the promotion venture away from its home base for non-PPV events.

This year’s UFC St. Louis card will take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Numerous fights had previously been announced for the May 11 date, though promotion officials did not confirm any, or reveal a main event, in their announcement.

Among the previously reported match-ups is a key strawweight fight between Tabatha Ricci and Tecia Torres.

See ya soon St. Louis 😉

Get your tickets here ➡️ https://t.co/MZCFJct9Pl pic.twitter.com/1pG17Y9RUr

— UFC (@ufc) March 10, 2024

The UFC last visited St. Louis in 2018 for a Fight Night card headlined by Jeremy Stephens and Doo-Ho Choi. The event took place at the very same venue as this year’s trip, then known as the Scottrade Center. That 2018 card has been the promotion’s only visit to St. Louis to date.

UFC St. Louis currently has the following match-ups reported for the event:

• Charles Johnson vs. Jake Hadley
• Terrance McKinney vs. Esteban Ribovics
• Carlos Ulberg vs. Alonzo Menifield
• Jared Gooden vs. Kevin Jousset
• Tecia Torres vs. Tabatha Ricci
• Chase Hooper vs. Viacheslav Borshchev
• Trey Waters vs. Billy Goff

The post UFC Set for St. Louis Return on May 11 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Torres (13-6) last fought in April of 2022, suffering a loss at the hands of Mackenzie Dern that snapped a three-fight win streak. She then stepped away from fighting to carry daughter Alayah Rose to term. The newest member of the family arrived on June 1.

Life with their new addition has been “Crazy, no sleep, lots of love, and lots of photos,” she told Cageside Press on Thursday.

“The Tiny Tornado,” a longtime member of the UFC women’s strawweight division, is hoping to get back in the cage no later than Spring of 2024. She’s definitely been feeling the itch, she told us.

“Oh a hundred percent. Since the first time I went to the gym while being pregnant— I cried going to the gym,” Torres stated. “I’m like, I can’t do this anymore, I can’t do it at the rate I want to do it. But I plan on getting back by Spring of next year.”

Wife Raquel Pennington is hoping to see some action before that. The women’s bantamweight contender served as a back-up for the UFC 289 title fight between Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana, and is expected to face Julianna Pena for the title vacated after Nunes announced her retirement following that fight. A “November, December timeframe” would be perfect for Pennington, she told us.

The post UFC: Tecia Torres Gives Timetable for Return, Hoping for No Later than Spring 2024 appeared first on Cageside Press.

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.

The post UFC: Raquel Pennington Believes A World Title Shot Is “Right Around the Corner” appeared first on Cageside Press.

UFC stars Raquel Pennington (bantamweight) and Tecia Torres (strawweight) have announced they are expecting their first child, due in June of 2023.

“We have a little extra to be thankful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving from our growing family to yours. Baby Pennington coming June 2023,” the couple announced on social media on Thursday, via Torres’ Instagram profile. “We are beyond excited and feel incredibly blessed. Mommies love you so much sweet baby and we can’t wait for this life with you.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClWTDmpuBpt/

Or, as Pennington put it in her own post, “we have an extra turkey in the oven this year.”

Torres will reportedly be putting her fighting career on hold, for obvious reasons. The duo announced they had gotten hitched earlier this year, and are clearly wasting no time expanding their family.

“Just call me Mrs. Pennington. We made it official today. I married my greatest love. I can’t wait for these next chapters of life together baby,” Torres wrote at the time.

In the cage, Torres last competed at UFC 273 this past April, falling to Mackenzie Dern in a close split decision. The loss snapped a three-fight win streak for “The Tiny Tornado,” 33-years old.

Pennington, 34, is a former UFC bantamweight title challenger, who competed in a memorable bout with Amanda Nunes in in 2018 that had many lauding her for her toughness, while questioning why her corner refused to throw in the towel late in a fight that had become difficult to watch.

After a bit of a rough patch, “Rocky” has turned things around more recently, having won her last four contests — the most recent also coming in April, when she defeated Aspen Ladd.

One fight prior, Pennington had strayed north to featherweight for a single fight, defeating TUF 28 winner Macy Chiasson care of a guillotine choke.

The post Tecia Torres, Raquel Pennington Announce They Are Expecting appeared first on Cageside Press.

Here are our thoughts as to what’s on tap for the night’s losers.

The Korean Zombie

The main event of the evening at UFC 273 saw The Korean Zombie step in against the champion Alexander Volkanovski after former champ Max Holloway went down with an injury. It didn’t take Alexander “The Great” long to make The Zombie start to resemble a zombie. He was landing hard and quick jabs right from the start. After the third round, referee Herb Dean asked the doctors to check on Zombie; they allowed him to continue. It didn’t last much longer, as Volkanovski would earn the stoppage 45 seconds into round four, leading us to ask “what’s next?” for TKZ.

In his post fight interview Zombie seemed very emotional, discussing how he’d need to think about hanging up the gloves and spending time with his children. Missing a good chunk of his prime fighting years due to military obligations to his native country, I can’t see him retiring just yet. He’s got some gas left in the tank and there are some youngsters looking for a fight. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Zombies next fight being a nasty one. One with a fellow twister finisher, “Thug Nasty” himself.

Zombie’s next fight: Bryce Mitchell

Petr Yan

In a much anticipated rematch of their title fight at UFC 259 that resulted in a DQ finish and a new champion, Interim Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan took on UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling in Jacksonvile. The first round wasn’t full of action and could have been very hard to judge in the favor of either fighter. Rounds two and three very easily went to Sterling and rounds four and five were easily scored for Yan. After going to the judges’ scorecards, we heard “and still,” as Yan fell via split decision to the “Funkmaster.”

Yan could be matched up with a plethora of opponents at the top of the division and any of those fights would make sense for a variety of reasons. There are rematches for top guys looking to avenge losses against the former champion. There are new talents tearing through the division looking to make a name for themselves off the former champion. Let’s not forget there is also a legend that has returned from multiple injuries that has his eyes on getting his title back. He could also get a rematch against Sterling but I think there is another former champ that gets that call first. As for Yan, a very marketable fight is out there against Sterling’s own teammate, Merab Dvalishvili. This one sells itself.

Yan’s next fight: Merab Dvalishvili

Gilbert Burns

At UFC 273, “Durinho” did what we’ve heard a lot of men had absolutely no interest in doing, he got locked inside the Octagon across from Khamzat Chimaev. In doing so he did what no other man has been able to do: he made Chimaev look mortal. Burns rocked Chimaev. He hurt Chimaev. He cut Chimaev. After the seventh minute of the fight, he had officially taken Chimaev into the deepest waters of a fight he’d been to in his career. It wouldn’t be enough, as Burns would drop a unanimous decision to the man many say will be the next champion at 185 pounds. It was written on the faces of both men after the fight. This one was an instant classic, a contender for Fight of the Year in 2022, and could end up in the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.

Burns, like many others, has been on the losing side of things before. He’s been in there with the current champion and former championship contenders. He came into this one ranked #2 in the division and I’d have a hard time seeing him dropped any further than #4. The three guys ranked immediately below him have fights lined up and it seems Chimaev has called next for the winner of Usman vs. Edwards 2. If that actually happens (and it may or may not) only one man really makes sense as the next person for Burns to fight, maybe even in Brazil or…..Miami? Covington. Of course, Dana White also suggested “Chaos” for Chimaev next, so it all comes down to whether he gets the winner of Usman-Edwards 2. If he doesn’t, maybe the Luque vs. Muhammad winner works.

Burns’ next fight: Colby Covington (dependent on title picture)

Tecia Torres

Torres has been locked inside the cage with a who’s who of the top women in the game. Saturday night was no different as she faced off against arguably the best female grappler in the UFC, Mackenzie Dern. This fight between Dern and “The Tiny Tornado” was definitely a whirlwind of back and forth stand-up and grappling. After we went to the judges, it was a split decision win for Dern.

Torres, a top 10 strawweight, has been on this side of a decision in the past. She had a four fight losing streak all decided on the scorecards, before her most recent three fight winning streak. The list of names Torres has fought in her career is endless, however there is some new blood in her division, so we’ll line her up with one of them. A former Invicta champ in this case.

Torres’ next fight: Virna Jandiroba

Vinc Pichel

“From Hell” Vinc Pichel most definitely didn’t go down without a fight against Olympic silver medalist Mark O. Madsen. This one was a very back-and-forth three round scrap, where Pichel could be overheard telling his corner “he’s done… he’s done” in regards to Madsen after the second round. He wasn’t. It turned out to be the wrestling of “The Olympian” Madsen that would seal the deal in the third round.

Pichel has been in and out of the Octagon on a regular basis during his career due to injury. Seemingly coming out of this one injury free, he’s probably be hell bent on getting a quick turn around. While his wrestling did look good (he was the first person to ever secure a takedown against Madsen in his MMA career), Pichel seems much better matched up against someone who will stand with him.

Pichel’s next fight: Jai Herbert

The post What’s Next: UFC 273 Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

But the list of names Torres has lost to reads like a who’s who of female fighting: Rose Namajunas. Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Weili Zhang. Jessica Andrade. All four have won UFC gold; a fifth loss, to Marina Rodriguez, feels like it came to a potential future champ.

Of late, however, Torres has turned things around. Heading into UFC 273, she’d won three straight bouts, and was paired up with Mackenzie Dern — a submission machine who had just come up short against the aforementioned Rodriguez.

Opening up the action on Saturday, Dern went on the attack, but Torres connected with her on the way in. It was all lightning-quick action to start, with Dern displaying improved stand-up, and Torres as quick and accurate as ever.

When they tied up along the fence, it was Torres pressing Dern up against the cage. Nothing would come of that, with the pair breaking and returning to center. Through the first half of the round, the action played out entirely on the feet; Torres would attack the lead leg of Dern, risking a takedown but getting away with it for the time being.

In the final minute of the opening frame, Torres caught Dern with a right hand, fired a couple of side kicks, but most importantly, exited the round without having ended up on the ground.

The clinch came earlier in the second round, and this time, Dern jumped guard — but Torres stayed standing. Dern, meanwhile, began working on a kimura, clinging to Torres like a baby koala. Torres used the fence to carry some of the load; Dern pushed off the fence with her feet, but Torres was still upright. How much carrying 115 pounds or more of Dern was sapping the energy of Tecia Torres remained to be seen, but they’d eventually go to the floor. Dern still had the arm, at least for a moment, but a visibly tired Torres broke free.

Torres, however, stayed on top, stacking her opponent up, and Dern immediately moved to the next submission, looking for a triangle or arm-bar. With two minutes remaining in the round, the second was as much in Dern’s world as the first round has been in Torres’s. Dern transitioned from the arm to a leg, looking for a knee bar. Torres rolled, holding on to Dern, who then began wrenching on the foot. She added some backfists, but Torres made it out of the round.

The final round had a slower start, with Torres on the defensive. Torres nearly found herself in trouble near the midway mark, dumped on her back, but a close call with an upkick later, and she was back to her feet. Torres then got her hands going a little more, and Dern in turn slowed a step. Torres chopped the lead leg of Dern with a kick; Dern fired a heavy punch in return. Another chopping leg kick, and Dern was on her back, but there was no way Torres was wading into that danger zone, instead letting Dern back up.

In the final minute, Dern landed a big right hand, and the pair grappled to the final bell. In a close fight, with all three judges returning 29-28 scores, Mackenzie Dern picked up the split decision win.

As advertised 👏

[ #UFC273 | We’re LIVE on E+ PPV: https://t.co/KOluT78H6K ] pic.twitter.com/DdoBbEskeD

— UFC (@ufc) April 10, 2022

Official Result: Mackenzie Dern def. Tecia Torres by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

The post UFC 273 Results: Mackenzie Dern Earns Key Win in Thrilling Fight with Tecia Torres appeared first on Cageside Press.

We’ve made it to fight week! Below is a list of the currently announced festivities and fights scheduled to take place during UFC 273 Fight Week!

𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐, 𝑱𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆! 🌴

👇We've got a jam-packed week coming for ya! #UFC273 pic.twitter.com/Mzf96sxAcV

— UFC (@ufc) April 5, 2022

The UFC 273 press conference takes place Thursday, April 7th at the Jacksonville Center For Performing Arts. For those in the area, doors open at 4P ET. This event is free to the public and will begin at 5PM ET. For those unable to attend, the press conference will stream online.

The official weigh-in will begin Friday, March 4th at 8:50AM ET (fighters will begin weighing in a 9AM ET). The Ceremonial weigh-ins will take place at 4PM ET. This will be held at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and be free to the public. Doors open at 3PM ET.

For those in the area, there will be multiple athlete appearances.

Thursday, April 7th — Darren Till – Hooters
Friday, April 8th — TJ Dillashaw – Miller’s Ale House
Saturday, April 9th – Calvin Kattar – Celebrations Liquors

Below is the full UFC 273 fight night card. The PPV can be ordered on ESPN+ in the U.S. for $74.99.

UFC 271 Main Card – Live on PPV

Main Card – Begins at 10PM EST

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Chan Sung Jung – Featherweight Title (5 Rounds)
Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan – Bantamweight Title (5 Rounds)
Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev — Welterweight
Mackenzie Dern vs. Tecia Torres — Women’s Straweight
Vinc Pichel vs. Mark Madsen — Lightweight

ESPN+ Prelims – Begins at 8PM EST

Ian Garry vs. Darian Weeks — Welterweight
Jairzinho Rozenstruick vs. Marcin Tybura — Heavyweight
Aspen Ladd vs. Raquel Pennington — Women’s Bantamweight
Mickey Gall vs. Mike Malott — Welterweight

ESPN+ Early Prelims – Begins at 6:00 PM EST

Aleksei Oleinik vs. Jared Vanderaa — Heavyweight
Anthony Hernandez vs. Josh Fremd — Middleweight
Piera Rodriquez vs. Kay Hansen — Women’s Flyweight
Julio Arce vs. Daniel Santos — Bantamweight

The post UFC 273 Fight Week — Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Cageside Press.