Raquel Pennington - American Mixed Martial Artist

I've been doing sports until I was five and kind of just I never thought in a million years I'd grow up to be a professional fighter but guess that's what I'm destined to do. My very first training session was a sparring session. This sport, like I said, it gives you the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and it's tough when you're on a platform. It's tough when you're in the spotlight and when you're in the media and you have all these expectations to live up to. You're listening to the rad cast. If it's radical, we cover it. Here's your host, Ryan Alford. Hey guys, what's up? Welcome to the list edition of the rad cast. We're getting radical today, folks. Talking black and blue in the face.

you know, like growing, you know, coming through it? I know it's been, you know, you're kind of hitting your stride here, you know, with, you know, wins and things like that and doing well. Maybe later than some people, but I'd love to just kind of start down that, you know, professional journey for you. Yeah, you know, I mean, I've always been an athlete. I've been doing sports since I was five and kind of just I never thought in a million years I'd grow up to be a professional fighter, but guess that's what I'm destined to do. And, you know, I started in the sport in 2010 and then in 2012, I believe it was. I made my pro debut and, you know, the sport has been a, it's been a journey. It's been a ride. It's fun.

You get your highs, the highs and your lowest the lows, but overall, I mean, for me, I've had the opportunities where life is just like really set me up to where I mean, I just straight focus on fighting and, you know, my life consists of waking up and go to the gym and having some lunch and focusing on nutrition and going back to the gym, getting some naps in and repeating five days a week. And then on the weekends, I just try to enjoy myself. So it's a stuff on a journey. So is it, I mean, it's got it's being your blood, right? I mean, like it's just the average person when you think about it doesn't go, you know, I want to, and I know it's more

Yeah, you know, I mean, I grew up in a huge Hispanic family. So I think, you know, having a Mexican background, like we're just natural fighters in general, but I grew up in a huge tomboy. I'm the only female out of a ton of guy cousins and a brother and, you know, I just, they called me Rackle McDaniel in the neighborhood. I grew up playing tackle football on the pavement and just being crazy, always fighting with the guys and at one point I asked my parents if I could box and they told me I was too pretty and my teeth are way too nice. So I wasn't thinking, so I kept fighting my guy cousins and beating up on my brother and then I actually broke my back snowboarding

so I couldn't take my athletic scholarships to a college. I took an academic scholarship to the university here in Colorado Springs and you know, I was kind of just going through rehab and getting back in shape and doing things and trying to figure out which direction my life would go in and the first team I started with, they were training at the gym and one of the little yoga studios and it was more of a joke just because of what my parents said. So I told my mom that I was like, oh, I'm going to join that. She was at the gym with me and I think she honestly just started be something to get me going again and we went in there. We talked to the coach and

my very first training session was a sparring session. He just hands me some gloves and some hand wraps and he's like, here you go. And I was just like, what do I do with any of this? And you know, for one, I'm going to adrenaline junky. I love challenges. Just everything to really push my limits and fighting matches, all of that. And then of course, the level that you take your body to is just one of a kind. So I fell in love and here I am, what, 12 years, getting ready to go on 13 years later. How hard is it to be and make professional fighting a career? It just seems like, I don't know, there's like anything in pro sports, you know, whatever the lowest percentage

number is, you know, like how rare it is for someone, you know, to make a career out of fighting. Yeah, you know, we always say we're the one percenters of like the population doing this whole fighting thing and even lower than that. But it's tough, man, it's just like anything, life, you got to work for everything that you're doing. And you know, the thing with fighting, just like anything else, I mean, if you're not having fun, then it's definitely not worth it. There are some days that it's just like, man, my body fills it and everything else. But then, you know, I mean, times of change and so recovery is a lot different and everything. And at the same time that we're putting our body through the ringer, we have to also work on our minds. So I like to say that

fighting is a 10% physical and 90% mental. So days that it gets tough on the body, you know, it's okay to take that break and actually listen to your body, let it recover. And then you can work on your mental training and then vice versa. There's some days that I just absolutely get exhausted mentally and I need to go recharge somewhere and, you know, there's life outside of work outside of training and everything else. And so I go out into the mountains, I'm doing something active, whether it's snowboarding or hiking or just hanging out or sometimes I just like to lay on my couch all day. Who knows? But in just like any other job, you just, it's a physical one. Yeah. And I want to, you know, talk about the business of the UFC. But before that, I think

it'd be interesting for, you know, the audience to hear because you don't, you know, we hear and watch and, you know, a boxing, which was more popular like years ago and now UFC being the hugely popular, we, I think the average person understands it at a, at a high level, the amount of training that goes in. But I don't think they truly, truly understand the level of training and what you put your body through. So what's, what, how could you describe that? Like, so people understand exactly what you have to go through like when you're training for a match? It's always like, you know, that expression, like the tip of the iceberg. That's what people see. They don't see underneath the water and everything that occurs. And, you know, there's a lot there. Um, for me personally,

like, obviously my job just isn't only just being in the gym and getting into the best shape possible and working on my technique and skill. For me, I mean, I have genetics and I come from a Hispanic family to where my job starts in the kitchen too. So, you know, I'm constantly working there. And then there's just some days that honestly, training gets so tough that my body, I mean, being 33 being an athlete since I was five, I've had crazy injuries. And then the injury issues used to stain throughout fighting and throughout this career. I mean, living Colorado, Colorado, I feel that aches and pains when that winter hits, you know. And so it's like, there's some days that I don't even want to move. And it comes down to, you know, sometimes maybe twice a week, I have

to go to physical therapy and I'm getting dry and eagling, I'm getting massages. I have massage every week. I live in the chiropractor's office three days a week. And I'm constantly doing something like that. Some days it consists of, you know, just go sitting in a steam room or a sauna and it's not to cut weight or lose weight. But just to like relax the body and other times, they'll be at home and taking a hot bath. And then some days it's just, it's non-stop grind. So, you know, I wake up early in the morning and my morning started around about 6.30 and I have my breakfast and make sure that I eat an hour before training and kind of just like try to start

the day slow. And then I'm at the gym for anywhere from an hour and a half to two and a half hours. On Mondays and Wednesdays, my training session goes for three hours. And then I get about three hour break in between and then I'm back at the gym. And then at nighttime, it's like doing some sort of recovery whether it's stretching or just simply relaxing or whatever. And then, you know, I repeat that. For me, I do five days a week and then I love the weekends off. Like, you have to listen to your body. So I take Saturday and Sunday off, but even with that, I'm super active. So I'm constantly doing something. And not only that, you know, I mean, this sport, like I said,

it gives you the highest the highs and the lowest the lows. And it's tough when you're on a platform. It's tough when you're in the spotlight. And when you're in the media and you have all these expectations to live up to. So not only do you have to work on your body physically, but you have to work on yourself mentally. And so I do sports psychology in there. And it's just, it's non-stop. What? I know you're on the ultimate fighter. So you mentioned season 18. Is that right? Pre episode. And so what was that process like, you know, and how do you reflect on that journey? I know it's been almost nine, 10 years, but, you know, it's obviously a part of your professional journey and putting, I guess, I don't want to say putting you on the map, but it certainly made,

you know, you more of a household name and people aware of you, you know, being a TV show. What was that journey like? You know, I'm honestly excited that they brought the ultimate fighter back because if athletes have the opportunity to experience that, I think it's something that everybody should be able to experience. It's a really unique opportunity. It's challenging. It takes you out of your complete comfort zone. So like, I go into a fight and I have an entire support system. I'm used to my family and my friends being there. I'm used to talking to everybody right before my fight or, you know, I mean, like we have certain things that we do. We'll go get pedicairs before, like, my mom and everybody we get together and before I leave the fight week, we go get pedicairs.

And then as soon as weigh-ins are done, usually my mom's my way cut bloody. And then I have my team cutting weight with me and stuff. So it's just a group of people that you're used to. And then after weigh-ins, my entire family gets together and my team and we're just eating and hanging out. And then the fight happens and that after fight. So there's this whole routine that goes into everything and having the opportunity to listen to people's encouraging words or just hang out and take your mind off of things. So with the ultimate fighter, you get chosen and for us with my season, like we had a fight to get into the house. And that's where it all started. But with that, like,

you get taken out of your norm, you get put into a house, you don't get TV, you don't get books, you don't get magazines, you don't get music, you don't get cell phone, you have no choice but to interact with people and some people know each other and some people don't. So you have to learn how to live with 15 other individuals and basically like find comfort in that. You're pretty much living your dream. Like all you're doing is eating, sleeping and training and repeat. And so that's the really cool part. But then with the ultimate fighter, everything is in such a short time frame that if you get injured, like you don't have time to be like, hey, I'm injured and all this other stuff. And if you say something, then you get set home and a replacement comes in.

So it's like, what do you want to do? Like you have the challenge there. And for me, you know, I had a fraction forearm. I broke my hand. I had stitches in my eye from just my first fight into the ultimate fighter where we won five of the season. And all of a sudden, I had to go into a semi-final fight. And I had maybe two weeks in between fights. And I couldn't even train or do anything. It was super painful. And then on top of that, like you have athletes who everybody eats so different, you have people, they have their own little ways of getting prepared for a fight or doing things. And then there's once people fight, they know they're not going to fight for a couple

weeks so they can do whatever and eat all crazy. And you have to be ready to make weight in the spur of the moment. Like if a fight happens and then all of a sudden they line up the teams and they're like, Hey, pennington fighting and this person's fighting, you have to make weight the next day. So it's not like where, you know, we get these six day notices or 12 week notices or whatever. Like you have to learn how to do that. And then on top of that, like, um, you know, I mean, you're just kind of preparing yourself. You have to really dig deep within yourself and find the comfort either in the people at the house or by yourself. And it's a, it's a really unique journey.

It's really cool. Um, I feel like that's where I really had the opportunity to spread my wings and just grow as a person and as an athlete. So you reflect positive on that. I mean, obviously on the business side of things, that awareness certainly had to have been helpful with, you know, springboarding, you know, your career even further, right? Oh, for sure. Yeah. I mean, that's definitely like it bumps you up there. I mean, obviously it's on TV. So people learn you and the other cool part is is it's not just like Dana White's contender series. Like that's an opportunity, but they see these athletes and then they see the fight. And then if somebody gets into the UFC and gets contract on the ultimate fighter, you get to learn the actual person. Of course, TV can portray you

however they want, but at least it gives you some insight or some background to us as people and not just as fighters. How scripted was it? It's not scripted. It's seen what I watched of it. It seemed pretty raw. Yeah, no, it's not scripted at all. Yeah. Did, uh, when you look back, I don't know, again, I know it's been a number of years now, but I mean, you, uh, you feel okay with, you feel like it reflected you the way you wanted it to. Like, it seems like you get, you get caught up in that stuff. No matter how you're person, we're all in perfect people. Like, you just shit just happens, right? Yeah, for sure. You know, I mean, I just went in there and I was

truly myself. Um, you know, they did, like I said, TV can portray you however they want to and they focus a lot on the fact of like my lifestyle and being like, almost actual and into women and stuff. But with that being said, you know, um, there was some stuff going on within production and their family and everything and people wanting to commit suicide. And there was a whole background that the world doesn't get to see. And they were just like, you know, would anybody be willing to like share their stories or step up for who they are? And honestly, at the time, like, I wasn't even open. And so the world learned along with my family. And that's where I really got to spread my

wings and stuff. But it did kind of bother me with the fact that like anytime they talked about me, it was just based off of like my choices in life with that. Um, and so I wish they would have spoke a little bit more as like, oh, there's stuff as me as a person. But for the most part, I mean, I am happy with it. The it was amazing. The people that it impacted the responses I got afterwards. People reaching out to me and sending me thousands and thousands of emails and letters and different things like it was really cool. How me just doing something that I'm passionate about and me being my genuine self, how it impacted other people. Yeah. I mean, people really, I think pick up on

that authenticity. And I think people want to be able to relate to other people. So I'm sure it allowed, you know, people to see that side of you, even if it was uncomfortable in the moment. It's been interesting. You've, you've come up through the UFC and I wouldn't, I don't know, the glory years, you know, it's right. But you've, you've been in the sport 10 plus years now. You've seen a lot with the business of the UFC. I mean, it's one of the most popular sports in the world now. How do you reflect on what you've seen out of the business side of the USC, you know, kind of, I mean, it's, it's interesting. You know, we, I had Bruce Buffer on, you know, several months back and he's got me from a different side, not a fighter, obviously, but talking

about just the growth of the USC and just the explosion of the growth. But talk about, you know, your perspective kind of coming up the last 10 years on the business side of it. Honestly, MMA in general, just to watch it explode and grow is super cool. When I first started the sport and as an amateur, I fought some of the same women multiple times because there was not competition, like, there was not many women in the sport and everything. And, you know, back in the day, like, we really had to go out there and prove ourselves. And it's just, it's a male dominant sport. But now, like, it's really cool to see how, like, the men and women are both here. And sometimes you can go into a bar and you can take a toll and or a poll and everybody's like,

we would actually rather see the women fight and all this other stuff. Because I think we just go out there and like, we had to put more on the line for so long to actually see like the equality and that aspect coming in. But then, you know, just you have see blowing up all the other platforms blowing up. And there's multiple different things. And, you know, I remember when you have see was like quarterly. And then I remember when it went to once a month. And then now it's every weekend. And it's just, it's crazy. And, you know, I mean, UFC still has like, when I originally got signed with the UFC, I think they were at like just right around 500 athletes. And now they have about 700. So I mean, it's still not a lot compared to what the

population is. But it's definitely growing. And sometimes it's hard to be like, who is fighting tonight? I don't even know this person because it's just booming. And I mean, it's awesome. People are getting to make their dreams come true. And everybody else is loving the sport. And how's it been, you know, on the business side of getting booked in like the, I don't know, there's just every, it's a business, right? And so is it more grueling, more challenging, like keeping your name fresh, keeping it out there like their politics involved? It just seems like I think the answer has to be yes on some level. But, you know, but, you know, you don't need to smack the hand that feeds you. I'm just saying like, yeah, there's definitely politics.

I mean, it functions a lot after that and whatnot. As far as me, like, I have a great relationship with UFC. So, you know, I've had my highs, the highs and my lows and the last like four years have been a really hard time with me. As far as like medical and physical, like my body's just changed. I've gone through a lot of injuries. I've had surgeries. So it's been like, it's been a rough go. But usually every time that I've reached out to UFC and I've talked to them and everything, I get some fights lined up and whatnot. But I know of other athletes who they really struggle and it's just like they can, they can't get a fight for like over a year and they get frustrated

because it's just like for a lot of people, it's their livelihood, you know. But when it comes to it for me, you know, I mean, everybody's so worried about like the public eye and like growing and, you know, getting their social media followers and doing all this and like, I'm just passionate about something. I'm super grateful for the opportunity. I'm super grateful that, you know, I get to wake up and do what I love. And I just, I'm authentic to who I am. And my focus is just me and the best that I can be. And, you know, everybody's like, oh, you're inspiring, you're this, you're that. Well, the stories I've been shared with me, it's an inspiring circle. But I've never been like concerned about like all the politics. I don't like to fall into

all the media stuff. I don't like to do all the different things. And, you know, I mean, my managers like, hey, we gotta get more active on social media. We gotta do this. We gotta do that. Like, it's a job in every aspect. And like, that's honestly like just hard for me because I love just live in life. I love training hard. I love watching myself girl. I like watching the small accomplishments daily for myself. And, you know, I'm not this person that goes out there and is a giant shit talker and fallen into all the hype of everything. Like, I just want to go out there and do what I do and what I train hard for and punch somebody in the face. Hey, but hey, we're okay. You got to build the personal brand. Come on now. We, you know, you got

your manager. You're right. Tell us you that. I'll second your manager. Come on. You know, we're gonna have we're gonna have opportunities after the after the gloves get put down, you know. The what's look, you fought some of the biggest names in MMA on the women's side. I mean, talked to me about, you know, your most memorable fight. Maybe it's not one of the bigger names. I don't know. I know you've had some wars out there. Honestly, you know, I mean, each one has something that stands out. Like, you know, people are like, who's your toughest fight today? Who's this? Who's that? And, you know, at the end of the day, like, everybody's tough. The fight is a fight. Like, none of them are easy at all. I think, honestly, I'd have to say most memorable.

I will say when I fought Michite, who was also my coach on the ultimate fighter. So just like, you know, the storyline behind that, but then not to mention. That was the time that it was the first fight card that UFC got approved for in New York. It was at Madison Square Garden. So a lot of things were happening. It was just overall the experience was just super unique. It was cool. It was one of like, I haven't been on another card like that since. It's just, it was one of a kind. And then, you know, I mean, obviously walking out there into that arena was just that in itself. Like, that is one walk out that I can truly remember and just kind of just embracing the entire

crowd and stuff. And then obviously going out there and fighting Michia and then her retiring. And there was just a lot of stuff in there that really stood out to me and like really hit my heart. And then another fight is obviously the world title, but not just because it was for the world title. Like, that's like what I was talking about were, were the one percenters of doing this, but then fighting for a world title is like the one percent of the one percenters. So having that up to me was super cool, but then it was just, there was a lot that went behind that. It was like the first time the women were doing stuff of both Amanda and I with our lifestyles. You know,

they took us into the crystal and we got to climb to the top of it. They've never done that. So there's just like a lot of things leading up to the fight that were super unique, super cool. And those are the ones that really stand out to me. I think what's what I like about your Hill is like there's so many people that are so focused on a destination. I feel like you really just love this journey. Like the act of doing it. Like that's and that's pretty unique. Like everybody's focused on well, if I'm number eight, I got to get to number two. I've got to fight this person and was trying to get to a destination, but it feels like you just enjoy the journey.

Absolutely. I just I always say it to and even I coach high school gymnastics and I always tell all my athletes for one, you got to have fun. You got to embrace the journey and that's what I practice for myself, you know, embracing the journey. I just like I said, I wake up grateful for the fact that this is my life. This is what I get to do. It's brought me some really unique opportunities. I've traveled the world. I've fought in really cool places. I've crossed paths with multiple different like tons and tons of really awesome people and then you know, I mean, it has its lows and its craziness and the headaches and stuff, but overall like I just feel like I've really like grown as a person and who I'm supposed to be and like just like finding my purpose

and my path and I just I have fun with it because at the end of the day, like we can't control things. Like there's only certain things that are in our control, but you know, I can sit here and stress and be like, oh, I want to be the freaking champion. Oh, I want to do this. I want to do that. And you know, Array, it's I think the ultimate fighter taught me a lot of that because Array was like, okay, get on the ultimate fighter. You have to win the ultimate fighter in order to get in the UFC. That's not true at all. Like I won fight of the season on there. My journey was a lot different, but I've been the most active from my season. I was the first one to ever fight for

a world title. I fought in the best of the best. Like so everybody's journey is different and that's what it's about. You know, exactly. What is your path for you back to the title? I mean, I know that's not like you said, you'll fight anyone anywhere. I mean, but where do you see what is your path the next few years as far on the fighting side? Oh, the world champion. I mean, that's the goal, right? Like I said, I mean, you have your setbacks and you have your highs to highs and it's been some setbacks, but I'm coming back with heat. And so I would like to actually get probably two more fights under my belt and then actually fight for the world title again.

Is it just so interesting with UFC? You know, in boxing, they kind of, they kind of, if fighters not like 24 and no, they don't have a path. UFC, everybody fucking loses. Like, it's like, because it is tough. Like you said, everybody's kicking each other's ass. And yeah, there's some fighters and there's the rare bird, but it's like, it's just such a unique path because you're going to have these ups and downs, but there seems like there's always, you know, a hot street comes out of nowhere. Somebody wins four or five hours in a row and you're right back in the thick of things. It's pretty unique to MMA. You know, our business like, I don't want to take away from anybody who's out there doing any kind of fighting or sports in general and whatnot.

But I feel like boxing, like, and if you're a boxer, a lot of boxers agree, but they kind of like pack their records a little bit and whatnot. Yeah. But in at the same time, like you have people who are out there putting their best foot forward and whatnot. A fight is a 50-50 chance. Like, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what skill level you are. If you're not on your A game that night, like, hey, you got somebody else coming in and do the same exact thing that you're trying to do to them and it happens. But yeah, I mean, with UFC, you have the best of the best and they, that's, I think that's why UFC is so entertaining. Like, they're not sitting here just handing people

to other people. They're sitting here making the best of the best matchups and it is truly exciting to watch. And, you know, being the athlete, being a spectator and being a fan, it's freaking awesome. Being the athlete, like, it's like, whew, all right. Like, there's nothing easy in this. Like, everybody is tough. Everybody's in the UFC for a reason. So you have no choice but to level up. Yeah. What's, have you thought about life after fighting? What's, I mean, I know you've got your hands and other things, but what's that path look like for you? I know you don't, I know you want to stay focused on the present, but I'm sure you're, you think about it. Oh, absolutely. You know, I was in school for, before my fight career really kicked off. I was going to school to

be a doctor and so like, I have a lot of schooling underneath me and I love learning. So, I mean, I don't care what age I am. Like, I'll go back to school and do different things and I have a lot of like credentials under me when it comes to like physical training and all this other stuff. I'd love coaching. I love just being around the athletic world. I'm really into like physical therapy and recovery and all different things and, you know, I want to open a gym. I was getting right open a gym and then COVID hit. So there's different things there. I have a lot of investments and stuff for myself and whatnot. Like, I'm always thinking about with like the future and everything. I

love living in the present, but at the same time, like, I do things after every fight or just in my daily life to set up my future. And so, you know, I mean, I want a family. I want kids. I want to be a runner-on, my lower grads and hang out, travel the world. So there's a lot there. Like, you know, people wake up and they honestly, like, they have two struggles in life and like, it really sucks and we all go through things and everything. But like, my issue is I wake up and I'm like overwhelmed because I have like too many goals and too much ambition. And it's like frustrating to like, sort through and calm myself down with. So those are things that I'm like, you know,

there's a lot in the works. And I, uh, I feel like whatever I put my mind to, it'll definitely happen. What, um, what advice do you give to people that want to get into the sport? Like, you know, it's probably universal, but that doesn't matter if it's a woman or a man, but on some level, I mean, I know there's some nuances. I'm sure, but I mean, how do you, uh, council people? I'm sure you get a lot of questions about that. Yeah, everybody always asks. And you know, like, you're not going to have an answer for yourself until you try it. That's all you can do. So go out there and try and put your best foot forward and have fun. And, you know, I tell them it's going to be

high as the highs and lows to lows, even in training. You're going to have people of all different skill levels. And, you know, at the end of the day, remain humble and have fun. Have fun with whatever you're doing. But I mean, you're going to get in shape and remember why you're there. Like, don't set these like outrageous goals and expectations for yourself. Like, just embrace the journey and have fun with it every single day and let yourself grow. I like it, Raquel. I really enjoyed it. How can everybody keep up with everything you've got going on? What's the best place to find you? And, uh, even if you, uh, only want to fight, I'm sure there's places where people can keep up with you. Yeah. And then I'm usually pretty active. I, uh, I run my Instagram and one

thing I really like is trying to take the time and really, uh, reach out to fans and stuff. And so, you know, I, I put time aside daily and I sit there and interact with people and everything. And that is, uh, what is it? Raquel underscore pennington. And then I'm on Twitter. I'm usually most active on the weekends with that for fights and go back and forth. And so that's Raquel P MMA. I got this new gig, uh, the TikTok thing. Oh, man. Oh boy. Yeah. I mean, I'm there. That's cool. All right, guys. Well, you know, to find her, I really appreciate you coming on. I'm really enjoyed talking with you. Yeah. It was great. Chatten. Thanks for having me. Hey, guys, you know, to find us