Raquel Pennington moves one step closer to the bantamweight championship after a split decision win over Ketlen Vieira at UFC Strickland Vs Imavov.
An even start it’s Ketlen Vieira who is controlling the distance and maintaining octagon control. Raquel Pennington is content to stay on the outside and land leg kicks while avoiding the offence coming back her way. Both women trade blows and are wearing damage on their faces. After taking some big shots Pennington opts to clinch which ends the round.
Pennington starts the round fast and looks to give Vieira no time to set her rhythm. Landing a big shot she soon locks Ketlen up. Ketlen defends well and finds space in the open and begins to unload. The pace has picked up from the first. The round ends similarly to the first with a clinch exchange.
Pennington once again wastes no time getting to the action. Taking risks but landing combinations, she’s taking the fight to Ketlen. Vieira slows the rush of Raquel by taking the fight to the cage inside a clinch. Each woman gains control in this position as Vieira ends the round with the advantage.
As close as fights get it was Raquel Pennington who edges the split decision over the three rounds (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
What’s Next?
Raquel Pennington had quietly been making her way back up the ladder and into contendership. Currently sitting at number five, taking the spot of #2 looks likely after her win. Last tasting defeat in 2020, almost exactly three years to the day.
Making it five wins in a row, Raquel had earned her right to fight Amanda Nunes a second time for Bantamweight gold. Not successful the first time around, these last five fights have shown her evolution as a fighter.
Amanda Nunes is currently not scheduled to fight, so depending on Raquel’s recovery, we could potentially see this fight happen at any point from April onwards.
Is a shot at the gold next?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
