“Shows what kind of person he is” Gay UFC champion responds to Sean Strickland’s ‘disgusting’ comments on LGBTQ and women’s fighting

New women's UFC bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington talks about Sean Strickland's comments at UFC 297 press conference.

“Shows what kind of person he is” Gay UFC champion responds to Sean Strickland’s ‘disgusting’ comments on LGBTQ and women’s fighting

Raquel Pennington on Sean Strickland (Image via Imago/X)

Sean Strickland made some comments at the UFC 297 press conference that did not sit well with a bunch of people. One of them was the new UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Raquel Pennington. Here is what happened:

Sean Strickland went on a rant against a reporter who asked about his past anti-trans comments. Pennington said that Strickland’s comments do not impact her life, but that they can impact people. 

The fact that he can pass so much judgement or make disgusting comments shows what kind of person he is. At the end of the day, the things he says don't impact my life. I can learn so much from you and you can learn so much from me if you're just willing to sit there and listen and learn as people.
Raquel Pennington at UFC 297

Raquel Pennington is married to fellow MMA fighter Tecia Torres. They have a daughter named Alayah Rose Pennington, who was born in 2023. Pennington and Torres have been together for many years and got married around 2022. They reportedly started dating in 2016 and became engaged a year later. Torres carried the child, who was conceived with a fertilized egg from Pennington.

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Pennington became the UFC women’s bantamweight champion at UFC 297 in Toronto by defeating Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision. Meanwhile, Sean Strickland lost to Dricus Du Plessis in UFC 297. Strickland claimed that an illegal headbutt from Du Plessis caused a severe cut during the fight. Dricus Du Plessis ultimately became the new UFC middleweight champion.

Raquel Pennington beats Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC

Raquel Pennington defeated Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297, winning the vacant UFC women’s bantamweight title via unanimous decision. It was a hard-fought battle. Pennington outlasted Bueno Silva and won the title left vacant by Amanda Nunes.

Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva was not received positively by the fans
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva was not received positively by the fans (via X/Scott Garvis)

All three judges scored the five-round bout for Pennington. However former bantamweight champion Julianna Peña is now targeting a summer return to the UFC to fight Raquel Pennington for the belt.

Meanwhile, the rivalry between the two fighters dates back to 2013 when they appeared on season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter. Peña said she is confident that the fight will happen in June or July this year. She also said that Raquel Pennington’s days as the UFC champion are numbered.

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