The main PPV card for UFC 205 kicked off with former women’s bantamweight champion taking on Raquel Pennington.
The opening matchup of the UFC 205 main card was supposed to be Miesha Tate’s return to prominence after losing the UFC women’s bantamweight title.
Instead, it turned out to be Raquel Pennington’s coming-out party … and Tate’s final fight. The judges’ scores were a pair of 30-27s and a 29-28 for a unanimous decision.
Tate, the former UFC and Strikeforce champion, announced her retirement after the bout.
“I’m announcing her retirement tonight, it’s my time,” Tate (18-7) said. “It’s not my time, I had a lot more to give but I had to pull it out of myself. I love this sport, thank you but this is it for me.”
source: mmafighting.com
Play-By-Play
Round 1 – Left hand for Tate. They exchange punches in the pocket. Pennington moving forward. Tate firing back in the exchanges. Still, it’s Pennington getting the best of the strikes early on. Tate’s face already reddened, but she works inside and is able to get the clinch. Tate changing levels and looking for a takedown. Pennington gabs the guillotine, and Tate walks up the cage to relieve the pressure. Incredibly, she repeats the process over and over until she finally gets Pennington to let go. Tate gets the takedown in her first real offense, but Pennington is quickly back to her feet. Tate tries to slip around to the back, but Pennington using the cage to prevent that movement. Tate is trying to wrap the legs, but she can’t get there. They hit the deck as the bell sounds. MMAjunkie gives the first narrowly to Tate, 10-9.
Round 2 – Pennington again looking to strike to open. Her punches are crisper than her opponent, and she lands a straight right. Tate firing back, but Pennington is clearly the better boxer. Tate wants a takedown, but Pennington defending well. Tate continues to press forward and gets the Thai clinch. They battle against the fence. Tate bangs in a few knees. She wants a takedown, but Pennington works to stay upright. Punches traded inside. Pennington with a slick move around to the back. Tate warned for grabbing the fence as she battles to stay upright. Pennington controlling the position right now. Tate able to turn inside and get her back to the fence. She circles off the cage. Pennington working in short punches when she can. Uppercut for Pennington, and she circles off the cage. Knees traded inside. Punches fired at the bell. MMAjunkie gives the round to Pennington, 10-9.
Round 3 – Pennington wants to strike to open. Tate jumps up and pulls guard. She drags the action to the floor and immediately looks for an armbar. There are some tense moments, but Pennington works free and gets to north-south. Tate again tries to wall-walk to change position. It helps her scramble, and she gets tot he feet, but Pennington wraps her neck and starts looking for a guillotine. Not there, but she stacks Tate. Nothing there, and Tate spins and looks for the leg. Pennington has to stand but is able to pull free. She pushes back down and again grabs the neck. Tate trying to drive for the takedown. It’s not there. Pennington peppers her with punches against the fence. They work in the clinch, and it’s Pennington who scores a takedown. Time winding down, and Pennington punches away from the top. She keeps working until the end and lands one clearly after the bell, as well, though she immediately apologizes. MMAjunkie gives the final round to Pennington, 10-9, awarding her the fight 29-28.
source: mmajunkie.com
Official Result: Raquel Pennington defeated Miesha Tate by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
