Video: Raquel Pennington on wanting Julianna Peña fight for 11 years, ‘rough time’ since winning UFC belt

LAS VEGAS — All signs seem to be pointing towards Raquel Pennington defending the UFC bantamweight title for the first time against Julianna Peña — and that’s more than OK with the new champion.

Pennington captured the title with a dominant decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva at January’s UFC 297 event, and now she is hopeful to face her fellow cast member from season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter in a matchup “Rocky” believes is 11 years in the making.

Prior to the 2024 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony during UFC 303 fight week in Las Vegas, Pennington spoke with reporters about the expected bout with Peña, how she’s been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, the tough run she — and her family — has had since winning the belt, Kayla Harrison entering the UFC, who Harrison should face next in her eyes, and more.

Watch the full scrum in the video above.