Julianna Pena has minted herself because the undisputed bantamweight champion for the second time in her Octagon tenure tonight in her grudge battle with Raquel Pennington — defeating the Colorado native in an in depth, split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) win in the co-main event of UFC 307.
Pena, who had been sidelined since she dropped a rematch title battle loss in opposition to two-time foe, former two-weight champion and common-opponent, Amanda Nunes over two years in the past in Dallas, Texas.
And taking the opening two rounds tonight in opposition to defending gold holder, Pennington — with the opening body proving to be the swing spherical of their bout on two decide’s scorecards, Pena would most positively take the third spherical — nearly forcing a neck crank submission as properly.
Nevertheless, going through large adversity within the fourth spherical, Pena was dropped with an enormous overhand from Pennington — who scored her first-ever knockdown within the promotion with the shot, earlier than trying to wrap up a guillotine choke and ultimately shedding place.
Surviving the scare to win the bantamweight crown for the second time in her UFC tenure, Pena appeared to skirt a title protection in opposition to Kayla Harrison subsequent — who beat Ketlen Vieira tonight, in favor of a trilogy rubber match with the above-mentioned, Nunes.
