Irene Aldana

Irene Aldana vs. Raquel Pennington 2 targeted to headline UFC San Antonio

A women’s bantamweight bout featuring the rematch between Irene Aldana and Raquel Pennington is targeted to headline the upcoming UFC San Antonio card.

MMA reporter James Lynch was the first to break the news, which was later confirmed by ESPN’s Carlos Contreras Legaspi. The fight is expected to serve as the five-round headliner for the UFC San Antonio card on March 25.

Sources confirm @ESPNDeportes that the UFC is working on a fight between Raquel Pennington vs. Irene Aldana for the San Antonio card on March 25th. Not done yet but is expected to serve as a 5 round main event as reported by @LynchOnSports

As stated, this is a rematch between Aldana and Pennington, who previously fought on the UFC San Antonio card back in 2019. In that first fight, Pennington won via split decision, so it will be interesting to see what adjustments both fighters will make in their rematch in 2023.

Aldana (14-6) is the No. 5 ranked women’s bantamweight in the UFC. In her last fight, she picked up one of the best knockouts of 2022 when she upkicked Macy Chiasson in the body and finished her in devastating fashion. Since losing to Pennington back in 2019, Aldana has won four of her last five fights to become a top contender at 135lbs. She is one of the top contenders at 135lbs and is likely one win away from getting a title shot.

Pennington (15-8) is the No. 2 ranked women’s bantamweight. She has won her last five fights in a row and is 5-1 since the fight with Aldana back in 2019. Pennington is hoping to get a rematch against UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, but it won’t happen until she is able to get past Aldana in this rematch. If Pennington is able to get a big win over Aldana at UFC San Antonio, then she will likely get the title rematch that she craves.

Who do you think wins the rematch between Irene Aldana and Raquel Pennington?

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Adam Martin
MMA journalist, podcast host, and handicapper for MyMMANews.com, MMAoddsbreaker.com, and Bookies.com. MMAOB Daily Podcast host. Join me LIVE @ 5 pm EST every Monday for my live free podcast. Over 10 years of experience writing about MMA. I love this sport.