“I just look at her little face,” Raquel Pennington reveals renewed motivation after the birth of her daughter with Tecia Torres

Raquel Pennington shares how her daughter Alayah motivates her to be the best version of herself for UFC 297 title shot.


“I just look at her little face,” Raquel Pennington reveals renewed motivation after the birth of her daughter with Tecia Torres

Raquel Pennington and Tecia Torres with their daughter (Image via: Instagram)

Raquel Pennington will get a second chance at the UFC women’s bantamweight title at UFC 297. Her first title shot came against Amanda Nunes at UFC 224. Nunes battered her en route to a fifth-round finish. However, circumstances have changed now. Pennington’s then-girlfriend, Tecia Torres, is now her wife, Tecia Pennington. Moreover, her wife gave birth to her daughter, Alayah, on June 3rd, 2023.

Adding a new member to the family has Pennington in high hopes. In the recent UFC 297 Countdown, Pennington talked about the changes her daughter created in her. This is what she said.

We recently had a daughter, Alayah. I definitely feel like she's helped me to see life in a completely different aspect. You can be 100 percent exhausted and somehow, just by looking at her little face, I just have this burst of energy. I just want to be the best version that I can be for her.
Raquel Pennington via UFC Countdown
YouTube video

The birth of her daughter has certainly motivated her to achieve UFC glory. She is currently on a five-fight win streak but remains the betting underdog against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297. Silva had already thrown shade at Pennigton as she called Pennington a boring fighter. Interestingly, She also called Sean Strickland a boring fighter. However, she considered herself and Dricus Du Plessis as entertaining fighters and has put the onus on themselves to make UFC 297 a success.

Pennington has been with the UFC since 2013. She currently holds the record for most bouts in the bantamweight division as well as the most decision victories in the division as well. Only Amanda Nunes has more victories than Pennington in the bantamweight division.

Raquel Pennington predicts domination at UFC 297 to shut up Mayra Bueno Silva

Raquel Pennington does not use trash talk as much. However, her opponent at UFC 297, Mayra Bueno Silva, does it too much. Silva and former champion Juliana Pena already had a social media spat, even though they were not fighting next.

Mayra Bueno Silva takes on Raquel Pennington at UFC 297
Mayra Bueno Silva takes on Raquel Pennington at UFC 297 (Image via: Instagram)

Silva had already labeled Pennington as a boring fighter. Moreover, she has even gone further to say that she had not watched a single fight of Pennington. Pennington did not choose to respond in kind against Silva. On the UFC 297 Countdown, Pennington revealed her plan to dominate Silva and shut her up for good.

The victor of the UFC 297 co-main event already has an opponent in Juliana Pena. Pena had already stated that she would like to face the winner of the bout. Moreover, the lack of other viable contenders also helps Pena’s case.

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