Raquel Pennington blasts ESPN’s Ryan Clark for calling for the end of women’s bantamweight: “You’re not living in our shoes”

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington has hit back at Ryan Clark for suggesting the promotion should consider getting rid of the division.

At UFC 297, Raquel Pennington finally reached the top of the mountain. She defeated Mayra Bueno Silva to capture the UFC women’s bantamweight championship. While it was a triumphant moment for her, some fans felt as if the bout underdelivered.

Regardless of which camp you fall into, Pennington is the champ. In the eyes of ESPN’s Ryan Clark, however, the contest was so bad that he believes the UFC may need to reconsider the status of the division.

RELATED: Daniel Cormier offers unique take on Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva: “It wasn’t that bad!”

As you can imagine, Raquel didn’t agree with that theory in a recent interview.

"I'm not here for [people's] expectations and to live up to that. I'm here for me, and conquering goals, and achieving things for myself."@RockyPMMA responds to @Realrclark25's comments on shutting down women's BW after #UFC297

Source: Unlocking the Cage | @RJcliffordMMA pic.twitter.com/CVPrYDh4dW

— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) January 30, 2024

Pennington hits back at Clark

“At the end of the day, I don’t care what people say, I’m not here for their expectations and to live up to that. I’m here for me, conquering goals, achieving things for myself,” Pennington said. “Every fight can be different. People can criticize, but there’s a lot of people who wouldn’t step in our shoes for 10 seconds, they have no clue what it’s like…

“I went out there, got the job done, but I have so much more to offer. I have a ton of experience here…for everybody else who just wants to talk, keep sitting on your couch and talking and criticizing, because you’re not living in our shoes.”

Quotes via MMA News

Between Holly Holm vs Kayla Harrison and rumors of an Amanda Nunes return, it certainly feels like things are heating back up at 135 pounds.

Who do you side with in this debate – Raquel Pennington or Ryan Clark? Who should she defend her title against first? Let us know, BJPENN Nation!