- What: UFC 307 Co-Main
- Who: Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena (Co-main)
- Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
- Location: Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Time: Early Prelims (6:00), Prelims (8:00 p.m. ET), Main Card (10:00 p.m. ET), Pennington vs Pena (around Midnight. ET)
- How to Watch: Early Prelims (ESPN+) Prelims (ESPN+) Main Card (PPV), Pennington vs Pena (PPV)
UFC 307 dives into the Ladies Bantamweights around Midnight on Saturday night. Raquel Pennington and Julianna Pena expect to exchange more than just pleasantries. Pena has not gotten into the octagon in over two years. Can the American turn back the clock against Pennington? The Best UFC 307 bets examine this tilt featuring two of the best in the division.
Raquel Pennington, the UFC Ladies Bantamweight Champion, (16-8, 4 Submissions) has gone 6-0 in her previous six fights. Pennington, despite winning the vacant title convincingly, is still only ranked eighth among all bantamweights in the women's division. Meanwhile, her opponent is ranked #1. That seems odd, doesn't it?
Julianna Pena (11-5, 3 KO's, 5 submissions) tries to reclaim her UFC Ladies Bantamweight Championship. Time is a real question mark for the 35-year-old. No one has seen her fight competitively since 2022. Sparring is one thing but once you're in the octagon, things escalate and quickly!
Now, what are some best bets for the Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena bout on this UFC 307 card? Let's take a deeper look at those prime UFC betting online 2024 sites and where you can those latest top odds on all UFC fights.
UFC 307 Co-Main: Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena Betting Picks
Best UFC 307 Bets: Raquel Pennington Betting Analysis
When it comes to the Best UFC 307 Bets, there are times where one browses through the numbers and exhales what the heck! More colorful language likely is used, but Raquel Pennington is currently the champion. Pundits sometimes forget the Colorado native is 36 years old. That is correct. The champion is older than the challenger by a year. However, the difference is Pennington has been more active training, sparring, and more importantly fighting.
Yes, Pennington's last loss came before the advent of COVID. That was a January defeat to Holly Holm at UFC 246. The Bantamweight acknowledges she was a different fighter then and probably was too heavy for the bout. Either way, since then, Pennington has fought smarter, has one submission, and five decisions. She is trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has a purple belt currently. Also, her ground-and-pound is one of the more underrated in this division.
Again, Pennington is the Ladies UFC Bantamweight Champion but #8 in the division's rankings. She has the ability of a champion and understands how dangerous Julianna Pena. After all, Pena caught Amanda Nunes in a rear-naked choke and stunned the UFC world. That 2021 performance was the Performance Of The Year. Some writers have even deemed this the early upset of the decade. Pennington knows what is at stake and will not take Pena lightly.
The significant strike rate is better for Pennington by almost one and despite a higher volume, she is able to maintain a 60% accuracy rate. Expect her to want to stay upright and only attack Pena on the ground as necessary. If she moves in and does not touch the mat too often, Pennington will win next Saturday night.
Next Up Those Julianna Pena Betting Picks
Julianna Pena is a former UFC Ladies Bantamweight Champion. She has not fought in two years though and yet is the top-ranked Bantamweight in the division. The debate is she is probably in the Top 3 or Top 5 but inactivity and injury have likely knocked her back a couple notches. The Best UFC 307 Bets believe that she does have a chance even in this bout against Raquel Pennington.
Pena does have a 1.5-inch reach advantage but that takedown ability and accuracy can change the game err fight. She has solid punching and kicking skills as the 35-year old does prefer the mat of the octagon more. The emphasis here is the uncertainty. Pena could stun the UFC world again. She keeps saying she is in great shape for fighting. No one will know that until next Saturday night. How does she handle getting struck with power?
The plan for Pena is probably to get Pennington on the ground as often as possible. From there, her hope has to be to grind down Pennington. Honestly, a decision seems more likely. Can "The Venezuelan Vixen" get the submission? That is plausible. Early numbers for a submission could easily open up in the +225 to +250 range. For now, the Moneyline is probably a little safer.
Best UFC 307 Bets – Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Pena
Alas the Best UFC 307 Bets hope for more action late on Saturday night. These last couple of PPV's and even Fight Nights have not quite had the same pop or entertainment value. The fans have not seemed to care and UFC 306 had probably the best visuals ever from The Sphere in Las Vegas. At the very least, the Delta Center will be buzzing for this main card. Now can this co-main stand and deliver?
Pennington must draw Pena into a more stand-up fight. Anything that gets on the mat too often does not favor the Champion. It may not be easy but that is the reality. Also, the champion must not wait for counters. Strike first, stay aggressive, and wear down Pena, who again may feel the tiredness a little more. Activity is Pennington's biggest ally here.
The betting pick of Pennington to win by decision remains our best bet. The number expects to be closer to Even as the fight draws closer.
Below are more offshore sportsbook reviews as MLB postseason and the WNBA postseason roll along.
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