Julianna Pena Reclaims Bantamweight Title with Split Decision Win, Calls For Amanda Nunes to Quit Ducking Her – UFC 307 Results (Highlights)

Pena left Salt Lake City with the bantamweight title following another questionable split decision on the night

Written by Craig Pekios
Last updated on October 6th, 2024
Julianna Pena Reclaims Bantamweight Title With Split Decision Win Calls For Amanda Nunes To Quick Ducking Her Ufc 307 Results Highlights
Courtesy of @UFCNews on X

After more than two years on the shelf, Julianna Pena returned to the co-main event spotlight at UFC 307 for a long-awaited clash with fellow TUF alumnus and reigning women’s bantamweight world champion Raquel Pennington. 

‘Rocky’ rolled into Salt Lake City for her first title defense since landing a dominant decision victory over Mayra Bueno Silva in January. Looking to end her title reign early is Pena, who could kickstart her second run as the UFC’s bantamweight queen following her shocking upset of Amanda Nunes back in 2021. 

Round 1

Pennington starts things off with a couple of jabs. Pena fires back with a double jab of her own. It’s a patient start from both fighters, but Pena lands a nice counter right hand as we hit one minute into the round. Pennington fires back with a big left hand that has Pena stumbling back. Pennington lands a quick jab and Pena comes up short on the counter. Pena fires back a right hand of her own. Pena goes back to the double jab, but she’s out of range. 

Both fighters are very measured in their attack, opting to trade jabs as we hit the three-minute mark. Pennington throws another double jab. Pennington moves in and lands a left. ‘Rocky’ throws a combination followed by an uppercut that partially connects. Pennington has Pena pressed against the fence and throws a calf kick—the first of the fight. Pennington lands another jab and Pena connects with the counter. 

Pena rushes in with a flurry, but Pennington stays clear of the attack. Pena lands with a right hand as the first round expires. 

Round 2

Pennington triples up on the jab as the second round starts. Pennington starts to mix up her attacks, going low with a leg kick. Pena responds with a right hand. ‘Rocky’ lands a solid left hook in response. Pena lands a left of her own but fails to follow up with another shot as Pennington gives her a receipt. Pennington starts to target the body of Pena and clinches up. Pennington lands a knee to the body, but Pena uses it as an opportunity to take Pennington down. Pena settles into side control and looks to land some elbows. 

Pennington scrambles and gets back to her feet, but gives up her back in the process. Pena gets into backpack position and ‘Rocky’ makes her pay with a few rabbit punches. Pena maintains the dominant position but offers little offense before the round ends. 

Round 3

Pena looks to get things going early in the third round and she lands a nice right hand. Pena fires off a counter left that does some damage. Pennington starts firing back with a combination but is unable to land anything clean. Pennington keeps up the pressure and throws a high kick that Pena nearly counters with a big overhand right. Pennington clinches up, but it once again backfires as Pena drags her back down to the canvas and gets right back into side control. 

Pennington attempts to scramble but gives up her back. Pena locks in a body triangle and starts softening up Pennington with some strikes while looking for a rear-naked choke. Pena gets her arm around the neck, but can’t quite get it under her neck. Pennington breaks the grip with 30 seconds to go in the round. Pena ends the round content to maintain control. 

Round 4

Pennington lands a big head kick early and Pena is stunned. Pennington looks to turn up the heat as Pena backs away. ‘Rocky’ looks much more determined after dropping the last round. Pennington lands a stiff calf kick and Pena is doing nothing to avoid the kicks. Pena throws a jab followed by a right hand. Pennington comes back with her own jab as the pace begins to slow halfway through the round. 

Pennington appears to be the far more active fighter as she pursues Pena around the cage. Pennington unleashes a massive right hand that drops Pena with two minutes to go. Pennington goes down to the ground and fishes for a guillotine, but Pena fights her way back up and separates after a brief battle against the fence. Pennington continues her pursuit and keeps Pena backpedaling through the end of the round. 

Round 5

Pennington throws a couple of jabs to get the final round started by a calf kick. Pennington is content to sit behind her jab, but Pena lands a nice counter right hand. Pena starts offering up a jab of her own followed by another right, but her gas tank appears to be working against her. Pennington clinches up against the fence, but quickly separates and goes back to striking. 

Pena lands another big right hand and that prompts Pennington to clinch once again. Like before, ‘Rocky’ lets go and separates. During an exchange in close, Pennington stings Pena with a right hand, and ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ is retreating. Pennington lands a left as Pena moves in. With 60 seconds to go, it looks like Pena has nothing left and is in survival mode. Pena lands a right hand followed by a jab. Pena goes back to the jab and Pennington counters. ‘Rocky’ lands a counter left and attempts to land a Superman punch as the final seconds run out.

Official Result: Julianna Pena def. Raquel Pennington via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)

Check Out Highlights From Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena at UFC 307:

Published on October 6, 2024 at 12:31 am
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Craig Pekios

Craig Pekios
Covering the world of Mixed Martial Arts since 2012. Providing the latest news, picks, scores, results, and commentary on the world of MMA.

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