Raquel Pennington claims women's bantamweight title in five-round war with Mayra Bueno Silva, shares kiss with wife post-win

Raquel Pennington redeems herself with a win at UFC 297, eyeing Julianna Peña for her next fight after a suspension.

Raquel Pennington has made a triumphant return to the women's bantamweight title hunt with a unanimous decision win against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297. This victory is a testament to Pennington's dedication and resilience, following her tough loss to Amanda Nunes in 2018.

In her post-fight interview, Pennington expressed the challenges she faced to get back to this point, stating, "It's been a long five years. I had to climb mountains to get back here." She also acknowledged the toughness of her opponent, Mayra Bueno Silva, emphasizing that the fight was not as easy as it may have seemed.

With the belt now around her waist, Pennington is already looking towards the future, setting her sights on a potential matchup with Julianna Peña. Peña, who was present at the event, missed out on a potential trilogy with Nunes due to her retirement. Pennington wasted no time in issuing a challenge to Peña, urging her to "get better and sign on the dotted line."

Pennington's UFC journey hit a roadblock in 2020 when she received a six-month suspension from USADA due to an honest mistake. Her doctor had prescribed two banned substances to treat a non-fighting related medical condition, and upon learning of their banned status, Pennington proactively reported the error to USADA. This transparency earned her a lenient suspension, and she wasted no time returning to the octagon in September 2021, securing a unanimous decision victory.

Overall, Pennington's redemption story is one of perseverance and determination, showcasing her ability to overcome challenges and continue to pursue her goals in the world of UFC. Her recent win at UFC 297 is a testament to her resilience and unwavering dedication to her craft.

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