Raquel Pennington Dominates Miesha Tate For Decision Victory
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate (18-7) made history with Raquel Pennington (9-5) at UFC 205 inside Madison Square Garden. The two warriors competed in the first main card UFC fight in New York City.
Not only did “Rocky” earn a huge victory, but it appears she has retired “Cupcake.”
Tate threw a jab early in the opening round. She followed it up with a leg kick. Pennington moved forward with a leg kick and a right hand. The two engaged in a clinch and exchanged strikes. “Cupcake” drove her opponent against the fence. Pennington locked in a guillotine choke and Tate pushed her feet off the cage to avoid the submission attempt. Tate completed a takedown. “Rocky” stood up, but Tate hung on until the horn sounded.
Tate faked a takedown and missed a right hand at the start of round two. Pennington connected with an uppercut inside the clinch. Tate landed a knee to the body and “Rocky” responded with a knee of her own. Pennington reversed the position and landed some punches in the clinch. The two exchanged knees to the body. “Rocky” landed an uppercut to the body. Blood trickled from the nose of “Cupcake.” Tate separated and landed a right hand as the round ended.
The combatants met at the center of the Octagon to begin the final frame. Tate pulled guard, but ate some elbows. She went for an armbar, but Pennington avoided danger. She moved to the north-south position. Tate got up, but “Rocky” held onto a choke. Tate slipped out and went for the leg of her opponent. She twisted, but Pennington got out. “Rocky” stood in control with her opponent’s back against the fence. She brought “Cupcake” down and landed some punches to end the final round.
All three judges scored the fight for “Rocky,” in what will widely be considered her most impressive performance. When Joe Rogan interviewed Tate, the former champion announced her retirement.
Final Result: Raquel Pennington def. Miesha Tate via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
