Does Raquel Pennington have a kid? A look into the UFC star's personal life
Raquel Pennington was a perennial contender in the UFC bantamweight division for more than half a decade before capturing the title in early 2024. Pennington is one of the pioneers of UFC women's division and an important figure in the sport being a successful member of the LGBTQ+ community. This article explores her personal life and her journey through parenthood.
Does Raquel Pennington have a kid?
Raquel Pennington balances her family life alongside being a UFC women's bantamweight champion. Pennington has been in a stable relationship with fellow UFC fighter Tecia Torres since 2016. The couple got engaged in 2017.
Pennington's career went through many ups and downs including a failed title shot where she lost to Amanda Nunes in lopsided fashion, among other defeats. However, she worked her way back up and earned a shot for the vacant title fight against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297.
Pennington went into the fight with extra motivation as she and Torres welcomed their daughter, Alayah Rose Pennington, into this world on June 1, 2023. Pennington announced the news in an Instagram post. The caption read:
"Welcome to the world Our little love 💕 Alayah(A-lay-ah) Rose Pennington 6/1/23 7lbs 19in. We never knew we could love another so much ❤️"
Check out the post below:
Pennington won the back-and-forth battle against Silva by unanimous decision and became the undisputed bantamweight champion. While Silva also had her moments in the fight, Pennington continued to fight at a higher pace in the later rounds and snatched the victory.
Raquel Pennington sheds light on the impact her daughter had on her life
Many UFC fighters have found that extra motivation to turn their careers around after the births of their children and Raquel Pennington is the latest addition to the list.
Heading into her UFC 297 fight against Mayra Bueno Silva, Pennington shared her thoughts on how parenthood and her daughter have impacted her worldview. She told MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter of Sportsnet.
"Life-changing, it's phenomenal. That little girl, I don't even know, brought a different motivation to my life, brought a different purpose. She gets here today. I can't even wait to see her. I'm her greatest teacher."[H/T Sportsnet]
She added:
"So to play a part in this fight camp, I don't have room for all the crazy emotions that the sport can bring. I don't have room for the fear, failure, scared, nervous or whatever emotion you want to put on it. I have a legacy to pass on, I have a purpose. I'm the one that teaches her to be brave and courageous. It has inspired me." [H/T Sportsnet]