Adam Williams presents his prediction for the UFC 307 fight.
Raquel Pennington
Raquel Pennington is set to throw combinations, including double jabs and the occasional Superman punch, to keep her opponent under pressure. She will look to slip side punches and immediately counter with head combinations.
To halt Peña’s aggression, the champion will deploy swift front or middle kicks. Once she catches her opponent's rhythm, she’ll start outstriking her.
Pennington excels with knee strikes in the clinch and isn’t averse to engaging in stand-up grappling. She might have the strength to push the challenger against the cage and control her for some time. On the ground, Raquel will effectively tie up her opponent.
Julianna Peña
Julianna Peña will come out swinging with straight punches, aiming to break the champion at mid-range with her longer reach. She'll seek to rattle her with wide overhands and pin her against the cage for powerful hooks.
Mid-round, Julianna will cover up from counterattacks and clinch her opponent. She’ll aim for a trip takedown while preparing a swift single-leg entry.
From the top, Peña will unleash relentless hammer fists. In the last rounds, she will focus on ground control to secure a strong finish.
Betting Odds
Bookmakers favour the champion, noting her victory over a grappler in her last bout, indicating readiness for ground exchanges. The odds for a Pennington victory are at 4/7.
Julianna hasn't stepped into the cage for two years, making analysts uncertain about her current form. She lacks striking prowess compared to the champion and might struggle to keep her grounded. Betting on Peña offers odds of 7/5.
Raquel Pennington vs Julianna Peña Prediction
Pennington is faster and more technical with her hands and will likely lead in significant strikes. However, Raquel might initially struggle to find her range as Julianna constantly forces exchanges.
Peña, with her power and wrestling skills, can take rounds on the ground. Her arsenal includes brutal finishes and the ability to take the back at any moment. We suspect the challenger will compensate for striking deficiencies with her relentless drive and dominate on the ground. Given her inflated odds, Peña is our favourite in this matchup.
