This weekend, UFC St. Louis is set to explode as Tecia "The Tiny Tornado" Pennington makes her much-anticipated return against Tabatha "Baby Shark" Ricci in a thrilling strawweight battle. The clash, dubbed by Pennington as the "Sharknado fight," will unfold at the Enterprise Center on Saturday night, offering fans an electrifying spectacle.
Pennington, always ready with a quick quip, promises a high-energy fight, filled with striking and non-stop action. "I think it’s going to be an exciting one. Too little mini-pitbulls going at it!" she remarked during an interview with UFC.com.
Having been away from the fight scene since 2022 to start a family, Pennington is buzzing with excitement for her comeback. The 34-year-old former mainstay in the strawweight division is not only returning after giving birth to her daughter last June but also after supporting her wife, Raquel Pennington, in her successful quest for the UFC women's bantamweight title.
Tecia Pennington's journey back to the UFC octagon has been filled with challenges, including regaining fitness post-childbirth and adapting to new motherhood. "It’s been a tough ride, with lots of mobility work and cardio. But I'm back, and my cardio is on point," she shared confidently.
Her opponent, Brazil's Ricci, has been impressive in her UFC tenure since her debut in June 2021, boasting a record of 4-2. Despite Ricci’s formidable skills, Pennington believes her own experience and speed will give her the upper hand in this encounter. "I think overall I'll have the will and the cardio over her," Pennington assessed.
As fight night approaches, Pennington is not just fighting for a win but for her spot back in the strawweight top 10. A victory over Ricci, who currently holds the 11th spot, could propel Pennington right back into the rankings, a place she feels she rightly deserves.