UFC 307: Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña: Live round-by-round updates
UFC 307's Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña round-by-round updates are here. They provide fans with real-time coverage and live scoring of the women's bantamweight title fight, which serves as the co-main event of the UFC 307 main card, which starts at 10 PM E.T. / 7 PM P.T.
The bout, however, is estimated for a 10:45 PM E.T. / 7:45 PM P.T. start time. As a championship fight, it is scheduled for five, five-minute, rounds, with Pennington mounting the first defense of her newly captured championship belt. Conversely, Peña is intent on recapturing the title she failed to defend.
The two women have a longtime rivalry dating back to their 'TUF' days together. While Pennington captured the division's vacant title, relinquished by the great Amanda Nunes, 'The Venezuelan Vixen's' own UFC run has been marred by injuries and inactivity, despite her upset win over Nunes.
Pennington, a workhorse, is 16-8 and on a six-fight win streak, while Peña is 11-5 and coming off a loss to Nunes from their rematch. Thus, it comes as no surprise that DraftKings Sportsbook has Pennington as a -155 favorite, while Peña is a +130 underdog.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the women's bantamweight fight.
UFC 307: Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña
Round 1
Both women circle each other, with Pennington pumping out her jab. A measured start to the contest. Peña fires back with her own jabs and a left hook. Peña intercepts a Pennington lunge with a jab, but Pennington briefly stumbles her with a big left hand.
An overhand right lands for Peña, but she eats a jab from the champion. The challenger lands a right hand down the pipe. This is a close and tentative round, with both women landing jabs. Pennington lands a nice jab, and Peña fires back with a left hook.
Pennington catches Peña with a sneaky uppercut and is now backing her up. The champion lands a good low kick and jab. More low kicks from Pennington. Peña with a good one-two. The round ends with a body kick for Pennington and a short right hand from Peña. 10-9 Pennington
Round 2
Pennington doubles up her jab, and Peña lands a nice intercepting right hand. A left hook lands for the champion, but Peña finds a home for her right hand, it's the challenger's best punch. They clinch in the open and Pennington lands a knee, but gets tripped to the mat for her troubles.
There's a knot on Pennington's brow. Peña is in side control, landing some ground-and-pound but nothing of real consequence thus far. Peña landing knees to the body. Peña is in the north-south position and Pennington spins out, but Peña quickly takes her back.
Pennington stands, but Peña locks in the body triangle and attempts a standing head-and-arm choke before the round ends. 10-9 Peña
Round 3
Both women trade jabs, with Peña landing the harder shots. The challenger doubles up her jab. Pennington lands a left hook. They clinch but break. A one-two lands for Peña, who seems to have bloodied Pennington's nose. Peña gets a bodylock and completes the takedown with supreme ease.
Peña is in side control, as she was in the last round. Pennington tries to scramble out of position, but Peña backpacks her, locking in the body triangle and landing shots from behind. Peña is working on a choke and gets a face crank for a few seconds but Pennington slips out of it.
The champion has nothing for Peña on the ground, but survives the round. 10-9 Peña
Round 4
Pennington doubles up her jab and stuns Peña with a head kick, but the challenger returns fire with a combination. Pennington with an uppercut. A calf kick lands for Pennington, and it's already troubling Peña. The challenger lands a good right hand but seems to be taking the round off.
Pennington lands her jab. Body shots land for the champion, followed by a right cross. The champion drops Peña with a big right hand! Pennington pounces on the ground, looking for a guillotine, but Peña survives and gets back to her feet. This is Pennington's best round.
The champion lands another jab. Peña with a right hand. Another big shot for Pennington, who is backing Peña up. 10-8 Pennington
Round 5
Pennington with a jab, and Peña with a combination. The champion doubling up her jab, catching Peña with a check hook. A right hand lands for Peña but she hasn't done anything to impose herself since Round 3. A right hand lands for the challenger.
Peña has slowed down massively. They clinch and Pennington pins her to the fence. A big right hand lands for Peña, but Pennington briefly clinches. Pennington stuns Peña during an exchange. The challenger looks hurt, but Pennington isn't able to capitalize.
Pennington and Peña trade right hands. The champion lands some good counters as the fight comes to a close. 10-9 Pennington
Official Decision: Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47).