Raquel Pennington

“I just kind of figured that school is always there. Fight careers are pretty short. I mean, I might as well live it to the fullest. But I do have the ambition and stuff and the goals to go back.”

“I didn't realize I had structure in my life until I was only allowed to lay on the couch and just watch TV and let all my injuries heal.”

“My thing is, do your homework. If you're going to be invested in something, know what you're talking about before running your mouth to other people.”

“I think women's MMA is getting a bigger stage than women's football or tennis.”

“I was hugely into basketball and then I broke my back snowboarding. I was rehabbing and working out in my gym and saw a MMA class going on. I told my mum 'I've seen this on TV, I'd like to give it a go.' She told me to go for it.”

“I started training, I was a natural, and four months later I was in the cage for the first time.”

“I feel like when I just decide to make up my mind, it's game over for whoever's in front of me.”

“I deserve respect.”

“It takes a lot for me to feel any type of pain.”

“I had a lot of physical things to deal with, and there are always those doubts about whether you'll recover or be the same.”

“I'm confident in all matchups.”

“I've sat here and I've grinded my way to the top and done things, it hasn't been an easy career for me.”

“I'm covered in tattoos, I have muscles.”

“I think I've proven myself and will continue to prove myself.”

“I was going to a school to be a doctor, so figuring out nutrition, that's really worked.”

“I love my life and I love the person I am.”

“Actually, I've been making jokes about the little bones in my hands; they can't handle my own power.”

“A victory over Holly would do great things for my fight career.”

“It's hard for me to say I'm hurt.”

“The only person that can stop me is myself.”