Fall River native beats former two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion in UFC 307

A Fall River native got back into the octagon Saturday against a former champion.

Tecia (Torres) Pennington took on California’s Carla Esparza (20-7) in UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Pennington, the odds-on favorite, looked sharp early in the first connecting on a series of shots before eventually being taken down by the former two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, Esparza. During the takedown, Esparza landed a series of close-range short shots. The first round could have gone either way.

In the second, Pennington began by connecting on a series of leg kicks. With about a minute and a half left in the round, the two exchanged several big shots to the head with Pennington getting the best of Esparza overall.

The third round began much like the second with Pennington continuing with leg kicks to the point Esparza’s leg started to turn purple. Despite being taken down late in the round, Pennington still had the upper hand.

The Tiny Tornado won by unanimous decision taking all three cards 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27. The fight brings her professional MMA record to 14-7.

It is the last fight for Esparza who made the announcement on social media that this would be her final bout.

“I will be stepping into The UFC Octagon on Saturday, October 5th for the final time. After almost 15 years as a professional, fighting the best of the best, I feel it’s time to hang up my gloves. This choice is made for my body and my family; 20+ years doing combat sports takes its toll. I wanted to give my “Cookie Monster” fans, who have never been there to watch me live, one final opportunity. It feels bittersweet to leave this sport that I love so much, but I’m happy to be doing it on my own terms.”

After taking time away from the fight game to have her daughter Alayah with wife and current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Raquel Pennington (she fights later tonight), Tecia made her return at UFC Fight Night in St. Louis, Missouri in May where she lost a controversial split decision to Tabatha “Baby Shark” Ricci of Brazil.