Preview: UFC on ESPN 56 Prelims

Women’s Strawweights

#11 WSW | Tabatha Ricci (9-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Tecia Pennington (13-6, 9-6 UFC)

ODDS: Ricci (-155), Pennington (+130)

It’s nice to see Pennington back in action, and it’ll be interesting to see where “The Tiny Tornado” slots into the strawweight division after a two-year layoff. Pennington was both a top prospect and a fringe title contender when the UFC opened up its strawweight division a decade ago, and she mostly just held that spot for the next few years. Short and powerfully built, Pennington’s volume-heavy approach made her a decision machine. She’d just keep winning while never getting over the hump into title contention, owing to there always being a more exciting option. Pennington hit a sudden wall with four straight losses spanning 2018 and 2019, even if they’re all fairly forgivable. Three of the four came against former or future champions, with the other defeat coming to fellow perennial fringe contender Marina Rodriguez. That skid also seemingly forced Pennington to adjust. She’s no knockout artist, but she’s been able to sit down on her shots more and provide some big moments that turned what would’ve once been losses into clear wins, as was the case in her 2021 victory over Angela Hill. Pennington dropped a nip-tuck decision to Mackenzie Dern in April 2022 and has since been on the shelf thanks to childbirth, returning here for a solid litmus test against Ricci. A grappling convert, Ricci certainly got thrown into the deep end for her late-notice UFC debut in 2021. Ricci’s undersized for a strawweight, but she stepped in at flyweight to take on the hulking Manon Fiorot, who was able to dispose of her with little issue. However, Ricci hit the ground running once she returned to 115 pounds, reeling off four straight wins while showing some clear improvements. Her submission skills are her most immediate threat, but she’s been able to coast out wins with a range striking style that’s able to take advantage of her speed. Ricci finally suffered her first strawweight loss against Lupita Godinez in November but even acquitted herself well there. It was an even fight where Ricci landed the biggest moments of offense on the feet. This is a well-matched fight, down to the fact that both women have the same-sized frame. Pennington might still be the harder hitter at this point, but Ricci gets the benefit of the doubt as an active and improving fighter. Plus, Pennington might have so shake off some rust. It’s a coinflip, but the pick is Ricci via decision.

Jump To »
Hooper vs. Borshchev
Ribovics vs. McKinney
Ricci vs. Pennington
Waters vs. Goff
Hadley vs. Johnson
Jousset vs. Gooden
Hardy vs. Aldrich