Fall River native set to fight former UFC champion; opponent says it’s her retirement fight

A Fall River native is set to get back in the octagon against a former champion.

After taking time away from the fight game to have her daughter Alayah with wife and current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Raquel Pennington, Tecia (Torres) Pennington made her return at UFC Fight Night in St. Louis, Missouri in May.

“The Tiny Tornado” took her then 13-6 record into a strawweight battle against 9-2 Tabatha “Baby Shark” Ricci of Brazil.

Pennington lost by a controversial split decision over Ricci despite landing more punches. It appears that the judges thought Ricci’s holding outweighed Pennington’s strikes. It was the second suspect decision in a row as she lost a controversial split decision to Mackenzie Dern at UFC 273 on April 9th, 2022, in Jacksonville Florida.

It has been announced that Pennington will next take on Carla Esparza (19-7) in UFC 307 on Saturday, October 5th, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Esparza made the announcement on social media that this will be her last fight.

“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.”

Esparza is a former two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion from California.