TUF champion is injured and Raquel Pennington is Jéssica Andrade's new opponent

R. Pennington (left) is the new opponent of Jéssica “Bate Estaca”. Photo: MMA Press Production (Josh Hedges/UFC)

It won't be this time that the champion of The Ultimate Fighter 18 Julianna Pena will have his first fight in the UFC after winning the reality show. According to a source close to the fighter, Julianna suffered a serious knee injury and was forced to withdraw from the duel against the Brazilian. Jessica Andrade, which would take place at UFC 171. The information was released by the “MMA Junkie” website. The Ultimate organization acted quickly and announced Rachel Pennington, Peña's TUF partner, as his replacement in the fight.

The confirmation of Pennington as Jéssica “Bate Estaca”'s new opponent frustrated the plans of former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman, who had asked for the vacancy left by the American of Venezuelan descent. "Please. With Peña out, I want to enter UFC 171. Back in Texas and this time the judges can't go wrong,” wrote Kaufman on his official profile on Twitter.

At 22 years old, Jéssica “Bate Estaca” Andrade has a record of ten wins and three losses. The native of Paraná is coming off a victory over Englishwoman Rosi Sexton in October last year. Your opponent, on the other hand, Rachel Pennington, has a record of four wins and three losses as a professional. On TUF 18, “Rocky”, as he is known, had the “Fight of the Season” against Jessamyn Duke and reached the semi-finals.

UFC 171 takes place on March 15th, at American Airlines Arena, in Dallas (USA). In the main fight of the night, John hendricks faces Robbie Lawler for the vacant welterweight belt. In the co-main event, the former interim champion of the 77 kg division Carlos Condit is ahead Tyron woodley.