UFC 246 results: Holly Holm grinds out decision win over Raquel Pennington
On Saturday night, Jan. 18, 2020, the UFC kicks off their calendar year with UFC 246. The event takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be headlined by the return of Conor McGregor taking on Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout.
In the co-main event, former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm takes on Raquel Pennington in a rematch from their first fight nearly five years ago. Holm defeated Pennington in her UFC debut via split decision at UFC 184. “The Preacher’s Daughter” would go on to make history by knocking out Ronda Rousey and becoming champion at UFC 193 in November 2015. Since then, Holm lost her title, and five out of her last seven. Most recently, Holm was knocked out by Amanda Nunes in her quest to regain her 135-pound title at July’s UFC 239 event.
Pennington snapped a two-fight losing streak in July at UFC on ESPN 4. “Rocky” defeated a Irene Aldana via split decision after suffering defeats at the hands of Nunes and Germaine de Randamie. Prior to her title shot against Nunes at UFC 224, Pennington won four straight fights, including a one-sided unanimous decision win over former champion Miesha Tate.
Here is how the women’s bantamweight co-main event went down between Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington at UFC 246, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the card, check them out right here.
ROUND 1
Jason Herzog is the third in the cage and the rematch has begun. Holm looks very energized here as Pennington comes up short on a Superwoman punch. Leg kick from Holm lands. Right hand from Pennington as both ladies staying patient to this point. Holm circles and charges in with a combination. Pennington jumps in and Holm ties her up against the fence. Holm with an under hook as the battle for position continues. Short left hand from Holm, followed by a knee to the thigh. Knee to the body from Pennington as Holm switches to double under hooks. Pennington able to free an arm with 90 seconds to go and Holm lands a left hand. Herzog taking a close look in the final 60 seconds as Holm lands a knee to the body. Left hands from the former champion and Pennington turns her over. That doesn’t last long as Holm shows her strength advantage to reverse position. Pennington reverses again and Holm locks in a guillotine as the horn sounds.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Holm
ROUND 2
Pennington moves forward to kick things off as Holm is throwing a variety of kicks to keep her foe at distance. Pennington throws a combination as Holm ties her up against the fence once again. Right hand over the top from Holm as the final minute of the second round is a thing of the past. Holm trying to stay active against the fence throwing right hands. Both women vying for position as Holm throws more rights. Pennington reverses, Holm gets right back in position. Another reversal from “Rocky”, Holm trying to muscle her back. The fence battle continues as Holm lands a pair of knees and Pennington separates. Pennington with a nice combination before Holm gets her back against the fence — much to the dismay of the Vegas crowd. Final minute of the round as Holm lands shots to the body. Pennington trying to improve her position but Holm is showing her strength. The battle against the fence continues and Pennington lands a knee to the body to create separation. Pennington goes to the clinch, takes the back for a moment as the horn sounds.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Holm
ROUND 3
Final round and Holm ties Pennington up before separation. Right hand from Pennington lands and they tie up again. Pennington able to disengage as Holm lands a kick to the body. Holm staying at distance and lands a clean jab. Head kick from Holm partially lands and Pennington clinches against the fence. Holm reverses easily and we’re seeing shades of the first two rounds. They separate as Holm lands a side kick to the body. Side kick to the thigh from Holm as we’re past the halfway point. Right hand from Pennington and she charges in. Holm goes down but gets right back to her feet. Back to the fence they go with 1:45 to go in the fight. Holm tries to drag Pennington to the mat, defended well. The clinch battle against the fence resumes and Jason Herzog separates them. The crowd loves it and Holm lands a nice combination. Back to the fence they go, Pennington gets separation. Final 20 seconds and Pennington lands a left hand. Back to the fence they go. They separate, Pennington lands a right hand and the horn sounds.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Holm
Official result: Holly Holm def. Raquel Pennington via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)
