Raquel "Rocky" Pennington

By FCF Staff

Due to the recent withdrawal of TUF 18 winner Julianna Pena, the UFC has announced that Raquel Pennington has agreed to step in and fight Jessica Andrade on March 15th. The bout will be part of UFC 171, which will go down in Dallas, Texas.

Pena was forced to drop out due to what’s been reported as a serious knee injury.

Pennington (4-3) will be looking to build on the unanimous decision win she scored over Roxanne Modafferi at the TUF 18 Finale in November. The 25 year-old is 3-2 in her last 5 contests.

Andrade (10-3) is also coming off a UD win, as she defeated Rosi Sexton by that margin at UFC FN 30 in October. The 22 year-old is also 3-2 in her last 5 fights.

UFC 171 will be hosted by the American Airlines Arena in Dallas and will feature Johny Hendricks taking on Robbie Lawler for the vacant welterweight title.