UFC 171: Raquel Pennington Meets Jessica Andrade

TUF 18 Alumni, Raquel Pennington has now be slated to face Jessica Andrade in place of Julianna Pena.  It was reported earlier this week that TUF 18 winner, Julianna Pena has suffered a serious knee injury that has forced her to pull out of her post-TUF debut at UFC 171.  There are mixed messages about how the injury occurred, but Pena will not be fully recovered by UFC 171.  Pennington made it all the way to the semifinals of the Ultimate Fighter Season 18 in the first ever TUF to feature female fighters.

Pennington is an excellent replacement for Pena.  Pennington already has an impressive resume despite only having seven professional fights in MMA.  She has faced top level competition already such as Kim Couture, Sarah Moras, Cat Zingano, Leslie Smith and most recently a victory over WMMA vet and TUF cast mate, Roxanne Modafferi in her UFC debut.  Pennington matches up well with Jessica Andrade.  Before the UFC announced Pennington as Pena's replacement, both Sarah Kaufman and Shana Baszler wanted the fight with Andrade.

UFC 171: Julianna Pena Out of Jessica Andrade Fight

Female Bantamweight Ultimate Fighter, Julianna Pena has suffered a serious knee injury and will no longer be able to face her first UFC opponent, Jessica Andrade, at UFC 171.  Both Sarah Kaufman and Shana Baszler have shown an interest in filling in for Pena to face Andrade.

Who would you rather see fight Jessica Andrade in place of Julianna Pena?--Tough Spar MMA

Sarah Kaufman

Shana Baszler

Other

Please Specify:

Poll Maker

UFC 171: Julianna Pena faces Jessica Andrade

On November 30, 2013 the UFC made history by crowning its first female Ultimate Fighter, Julianna Pena.  Pena (5-2) fought her way through many tough women in the Ultimate Fighter house and trained for 6 weeks before facing dangerous striker, Jessica Rakoczsy in the finals.  Pena was able to defeat Rakoczy by way of TKO due to ground strikes.  Pena easily walked through Rakoczy who just couldn't improve on her grappling enough to contend with Pena's superior skills.  Pena will now get to finally step into the Octagon after becoming the TUF Season 18 crown.

Jessica Andrade has been tapped as the TUF queen's first opponent since winning the crown.  Andrade (10-3) will be no cake walk for Pena as Andrade is even more dangerous than Rakoczy, as Andrade can strike and grapple.  Andrade lost her UFC debut against the fierce Liz Carmouche by TKO but then devastated Rosi Sexton in her most recent fight in October.  This will be a tough fight for Pena and I don't believe that she will win this one against Andrade.  I just don't believe that Pena has the skill set to dismantle Andrade.  The two women will face each other at UFC 171 which is being headlined by a clash between Johnny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler for the vacant UFC Welterweight Title.

After winning TUF 18, will Julianna Pena make a successful UFC debut against Jessica Andrade?--Tough Spar MMA

Yes

No

free online polls