Former UFC Bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington's Octagon Return is reportedly set for NOCHE UFC.
In the midst of the escalating conversations of a super fight between UFC Bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison and UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes, Raquel Pennington is one of the many forgotten contenders in the division. But Pennington will soon get her chance to make another plea for a title shot almost a full year since losing the belt.
Pennington has not fought anymore since a split loss of decision for Julianna Peña on UFC 307 last October. She earned the Bantamweight title, abandoned by Nunes, on UFC 297 about Mayra Bueno Silva.
According to various reports, Pennington returns to one of the largest cards of the year against one of the most popular contenders of the Bantam weight division.
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Raquel Pennington booked for UFC Return Return on the upcoming UFC card from NOCHE in San Antonio
As reported for the first time by AG Fight, a matchup between Pennington and Norma Dumont on September 13 is in the making for Noche UFC in San Antonio. The matchup of Pennington vs. Dumont was later confirmed by Damon Martin from MMA Fighting.
Dumont returns to the Octagon for the first time since the beating of former UFC title Challenger Irene Aldana on UFC 306 last September. In recent months, she has been campaigning for various controversial fights in the midst of her five-field profit reak.
Dumont has risen the ranking of the bantam weight with recent victories over Germaine de Randamie, Chelsea Chandler and Karol Rosa. Her unanimous decision victory on the Randamie marked her impressive return to the Bantam weight division.
Pennington vs. Dumont serves as a likely title -eliminator, while the UFC matchmakers continue to work on booking Harrison vs. Nunes. Harrison has won the Bantamweight title of the UFC by submitting Peña to UFC 316 last month.
NOCHE UFC takes shape with Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva Headliner
NOCHE UFC contained a featherweight headliner between Diego Lopes and Jean Silva, two of the best contenders in the division. The winner could be the following in line for a title shot after the victory of UFC Vederweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314.
Lopes lost from Volkanovski due to a unanimous decision on UFC 314 and defeated various top names before the loss. He has defeated Brian Ortega, then IgE and Sodiq Yusuff in his UFC official period.
Silva is undefeated in the UFC -Tachthoek with recent finishes by Bryce Mitchell, Melsik Baghdasaryan and Drew Dober. He has earned three consecutive bonuses after the fight.