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LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 29: Raquel Pennington (L) punches Tonya Evinger in their elimination fight during filming of season eighteen of The Ultimate Fighter on May 29, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Raquel Pennington

TRAINING: I train every morning doing strength and conditioning for two hours - usually 9-11. Then I have a break until 2pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Then I go to Muay Thai, kickboxing or wrestling. Tuesday and Thursday I do jitz from 6:30 to 8:30.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training at the age of 19. I always wanted to fight but my parents never let me. In my senior yet I broke my back snowboarding and was rehabbing my back. Then I joined fighting to become more active.

What ranks and titles have you held? As an amateur I was 7-1 with five titles - three at 135lbs, one at 130lb and one at 125lb 0 and ranked number one in the US. Before TUF as a pro I was 3-3 and I hold the world bantamweight/Hawaiian islands champion of Destiny MMA.

Do you have any heroes? My hero is my mom.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? To fight in the UFC is every fighter’s dream come true. For me, it's a great accomplishment making it as high in the promotion as I can go and a life change for not only me, but my family. It’s also a way to reach out to the people in the world and tell my story and show them it's possible for them to achieve their dreams as well.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I am currently in college doing pre-med in hopes of going to med school to be a doctor.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked at SAMs club, driving the forklift, stocking the freezers/cooler, while going to school and training.

Favorite grappling technique: Triangle

Favorite striking technique: 1-3-2 liver kick