Raquel Pennington Responds To Sean Strickland's LGBTQ+ Taunts: 'You Can Learn So Much From Me...'

Originally posted on MMA News | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated 1/22/24

Newly-minted UFC Bantamweight Champion Raquel Pennington wants to help those like Sean Strickland understand her perspective.

Pennington achieved UFC gold by defeating Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant UFC bantamweight title at UFC 297 last Saturday. After a long, treacherous run in the UFC, she finally realized a championship dream.

In addition to the history she made by earning the title, Pennington is one of the few openly gay champions in UFC history. The previous titleholder, Amanda Nunes, is also openly gay and retired after a win at UFC 289 last year.

Strickland, who lost in the UFC 297 main event to Dricus du Plessis, made some controversial remarks during fight week about the LGBTQ+ community. After earning the belt, Pennington wants to use her platform to start conversations with Strickland's views.

Raquel Pennington Issues Classy Response To Sean Strickland

In a post-UFC 297 interview with Sportsnet's Aaron Bronsteter, Pennington offered to have a conversation with Strickland and find some common ground.

"For people like that, it hurts my heart, to pass so much judgment," Pennington said. "At the end of the day, the things he says doesn't impact my life, not going to change how happy I am and how whole my heart is. But things that are said and judgment that's casted, it really impacts people. Some of that is not okay...

"I honestly ignored the noise this week, I heard about it since I was doing so much media...I can learn so much from you and you can learn so much from me if you're just willing to sit there and listen and learn as people."

Pennington is married to UFC strawweight Tecia Torres, and the couple also has a child together. Torres hasn't competed since a loss to Mackenzie Dern at UFC 273.

UFC President Dana White takes pride in allowing fighters to speak their mind to the media, although Pennington said that White checked in on her after Strickland's remarks. It's unlikely Strickland will face punishment for his comments.

Pennington wants to make a positive impact after earning a UFC title, and it seems she's open to having a productive conversation with Strickland about his views.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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