Eleven years passed between Denise Gomes and Tecia Pennington, a pair of strawweights who faced off as part of Saturday’s preliminary UFC Vegas 111 card.
Known for her speed, “The Tiny Tornado” Pennington was ranked No. 13 in the division, while Gomes was at No. 15 looking to move up.
Early in the fight, an exchange and trip led to Pennington sliding onto her back, though Gomes failed to get on top. Gomes fired a spinning back kick, high and wide and almost in slow motion. Pennington responded with a corner kick that was also off target. However, there was a left hand for Gomes, as well as a trip. Pennington immediately resurfaced, where the fight unfolded in small bursts of activity.
Gomes pressed forward early in the second round, firing overhand punches and mixing in leg kicks. Pennington responded with her own kick and found the spot with her left hand. Gomes, however, continued to take charge, dating in and out, nowhere to be found by Pennington’s counters as she faded away after each engagement. Pennington remained upright throughout the second round, with the pace slowing slightly as the back half of the frame progressed. A late clinch didn’t change much. and Gomes appeared to have a slight lead in the fight after ten full minutes.
An early clinch slowed the action in round three, but as they went down, Pennington was briefly on top. In short, because she was soon turned around, dashing any hopes of a comeback there. Pennington worked her way back up, only to be taken back down and taken out from under her. Gones managed to get the back and hooked, but Pennnington again managed to get to his feet.
As impressive as her ability to get back up was, Tecia Pennington fell behind and played defense in a round she needed to win, if not finish. When they went back down it was Gomes again who turned the tables, coming up on top and landing a bit of ground n’ pound. A finish was never close, but Denise Gomes was in cruise control, en route to a unanimous victory that was never really in doubt.
That’s four consecutive victories for Gomes, who earned her black belt with this victory. Pennington now sees her two-fight win streak broken.
Official result: Denise Gomes final. Tecia Pennington by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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