Stream UFC 297 on ESPN+ https://plus.espn.com/ufc/ppv Megan Olivi speaks with Raquel Pennington after she stepped off the …
my mind just feels different I I don’t feel like it’s been a year since I’ve been out of the Octagon so I mean I just feel recharged in so many different aspects when you look at yourself from the last time you had a title opportunity in 2018 and who you were in terms of athletic abilities in terms of being a fighter how would you compare yourself then to who you are now I don’t even recognize that girl I feel like I’ve tremendously grown as a person and as an athlete and like I just feel the the stars have a line like it is my time now everybody’s Journey looks completely different and you know I mean that first time I really wanted it but my head and my heart weren’t right now it’s just like everything has truly aligned and like I’m motivated more than ever I know that your beautiful baby is just off camera and she plays a huge role of inspiration you’ve been around this sport for a long time you’ve fought some of the very best in the game how do you use that experience to propel you in this five round title fight against weno Silva this girl I mean I’ve been in the UFC for 10 years out of those 10 years majority of it has been spent in the top 10 like you said I fought in the best of the best all former Champions um you know I’ve marked my place here and every time they always have a young and upcomer and this person and they’re like oh okay like she’s going to win it she’s going to win it I truly feel like the gatekeeper the 135lb division and you know I I stop everybody in their tracks every single time so for me it’s just going out there and being me going out there and having fun like this is not anything new what does being mean being you mean in terms of skill what do you need to show to be yourself for one I say a lot of this you know it comes down to obviously it’s a physical sport but I always say it’s 90% mental 10% physical and when it comes to that like My Mind Is Made of Stone like I cannot explain it I can’t express the difference that this time around feels like and you know I mean I feel like when my mind is right I’m just in a flow State and when I’m in a flow State I have a giant toolbox I’m out there having fun and you can’t stop that well we cannot wait so watch that that is for sure Rael thank you so much for your time good luck to you [Applause] [Music] thanks