Tecia Pennington Bio
Tecia Lyn Torres Moncaio Pennington, born August 16, 1989, is an American mixed martial artist competing in the women’s Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by her ring name “The Tiny Tornado,” she has built a respected career in MMA since her professional debut in 2011.
Early Life and Background
Tecia Pennington was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, and moved to Coral Springs, Florida, at age five with her single mother, older sister, and younger brother. She began practicing martial arts at the age of three, starting with taekwondo and eventually earning a black belt after twelve years. Pennington also holds a black belt in karate and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She has an amateur Muay Thai record of sixteen wins and four losses. Pennington graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology, and later earned a master’s degree in Criminology from the same institution in 2017.
Path to MMA
Pennington started her amateur mixed martial arts career in 2011, winning all seven of her bouts and securing 115-pound titles in MMA Solutions, US Freedom Fighter Championship, and American Battle Championships. She transitioned to professional MMA in 2012, signing with Invicta Fighting Championships, where she quickly made a name for herself with several unanimous decision victories.
Tecia Pennington Career
Early Career (2011–2013)
Pennington’s professional debut took place at Invicta FC 3 in October 2012, where she defeated Kaiyana Rain by unanimous decision. She continued her winning streak with unanimous decision victories over Paige VanZant and Rose Namajunas in 2013. Her early career was marked by consistent performances and a growing reputation in the strawweight division.
Invicta Fighting Championships Breakthrough (2012–2013)
During her time at Invicta FC, Pennington showcased her striking skills and tactical approach, earning unanimous decision wins against notable opponents. Her fight against Felice Herrig at Invicta FC 7 in December 2013 further solidified her status as a rising contender in the strawweight category.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2014–Present)
Pennington made her UFC debut in December 2014, defeating Angela Magaña by unanimous decision. She continued to build momentum with wins over Angela Hill and Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger. Pennington’s first professional stoppage came in 2017 with a submission victory over Juliana Lima, earning her the Performance of the Night bonus. Throughout her UFC career, she has faced top-tier opponents including Rose Namajunas, Jéssica Andrade, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, and Zhang Weili. Pennington is known for her consistent lateral movement, blending taekwondo and karate techniques, and applying pressure with striking combinations. She fights out of American Top Team and resides in Colorado Springs, USA.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pennington employs constant lateral movement and integrates taekwondo and karate elements into her striking. She frequently uses kicks, often combining high or low kicks with fast side kicks, and presses forward with flurries of high strikes. While not known for submissions, she has demonstrated solid submission defense throughout her career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pennington’s career highlights include her first stoppage victory against Juliana Lima and multiple unanimous decision wins over high-profile fighters. She is recognized for her resilience and technical striking in the competitive UFC strawweight division.
Tecia Pennington Career Wins
As of now, Tecia Pennington has amassed a professional record of 15 wins and 8 losses, with 8 victories by decision, 1 by knockout, and 1 by submission. Her consistent performance in the UFC and Invicta FC has established her as a formidable competitor in the strawweight division.
UFC Highlights
Pennington has secured numerous wins in the UFC, including victories over Angela Magaña, Angela Hill, Michelle Waterson, and Juliana Lima. Her first UFC stoppage win came in 2017 against Lima, earning her a Performance of the Night bonus. She continues to compete at a high level within the division.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Pennington held multiple amateur titles and maintained an undefeated amateur record. Her early professional career in Invicta FC featured several key wins that propelled her into the UFC spotlight.
Tecia Pennington Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Pennington is married to Raquel Pennington, a former UFC women’s bantamweight champion. The couple welcomed their baby daughter in 2023. She is openly part of the LGBTQ+ community and has been candid about her mental health struggles, including depression and attachment disorder. Pennington maintains a straight edge lifestyle, abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Pennington continued to compete in the UFC strawweight division, securing a unanimous decision win over Luana Pinheiro in May. She faced Denise Gomes in November 2025, where she experienced a unanimous decision loss. Pennington remains an active competitor with a focus on maintaining her position among the division’s top fighters while representing American Top Team. Her experience and technical striking keep her a relevant and challenging opponent in the evolving strawweight landscape.