In the summertime there aren’t too many things compared to the heat that comes with living in Texas, and with just 2 weeks removed from being in Las Vegas and a week removed from being in California, the UFC finds itself riding a heatwave of some sort being back into Texas for UFC on ESPN 4 in San Antonio. With a stellar card full of fighters that has many fight fans counting down the days till this Saturday. It wasn’t easy picking this week’s fight to watch but I’ve decided to build off the steam of the past two weeks. The women’s bantamweight division has really put some nice match-ups together, including Nunes v. Holm, Julianna Pena v. Montano, Ladd v. GDR and now this weeks Fight To Watch: Raquel “Rocky” Pennington (9-7) vs. Irene Aldana (10-4).
Pennington and Aldana face off photographed by Unknown MMA.
Pennington was a winner of three straight when she walked into the octagon at UFC 224 and although she often isn’t looked as, as one of the big names (Miesha, Holly, Rousey, Cyborg) that Nunes has beat – she’s the only one who actually made it out of the 1st rd. with the champ. Following that performance was a showdown with Germaine De Randamie where once again, “Rocky” was on the wrong side of the win column, in a decision loss. After back to back disappointing losses to her friend and champion – Amanda Nunes and Germaine De Randamie, “Rocky” Pennington is looking to get back on track but in front of her is no walk through the park.
With back to back losses to start her UFC career, Aldana has now put together 3 straight wins in a division that is looking for a fresh name to break out of the crowd and provide a formidable foe to challenge for the belt. After her Fight of the Night performance victory against Lucie Pudilova, at UFC 228, it’s safe to say that Aldana definitely has that beloved Mexican Spirit. As an encore, at UFC 237 she followed up that performance by out-striking and really outclassing a former title challenger in Bethe Correira. She ultimately submitted her in the 3rd rd. That victory has lined her up for the biggest fight in her MMA career and now has Aldana thinking of a title shot. However, she can’t look ahead at what could possibly be because, in order to get that title shot, a win on Saturday needs to happen.
A post shared by Irene Aldana – ufc – (@irene.aldana) on Jul 18, 2019 at 12:34pm PDT
This Saturday in San Antonio, Texas will Pennington get back to her winning ways ––put herself in position to make another run at the title– and prove her position in the division or will Aldana, with her country (Mexico) behind her back (literally) and in front of a fan-base that will be well represented by Hispanics, get the biggest win of her career and put the “champ-champ” on notice.
Aldana showing off her crip striking with Unknown MMA.
Be sure to tune in this Saturday, on the preliminary portion of the card when both these strikers meet in the middle of the octagon because the only thing bigger than Texas might be the finish in this fight.
Irene in her element, showing heart with Unknown MMA.
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