Jessica Penne

Jessica Penne (born January 30, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist. She was the first Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. She also competed in the first women's bout in Bellator Fighting Championships. She currently competes in the Women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of November 10, 2016, she is #13 in the official UFC Strawweight rankings.

Penne graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

Bellator

In May 2009, Penne became the first woman to compete and win a bout in the Bellator Fighting Championships organization when she fought at Bellator 5 against Tammie Schneider in a 117-pound catchweight bout. She won the fight via TKO (punches) in the first round.

In August 2010, Penne met future Bellator Strawweight Champion Zoila Gurgel in the opening quarterfinal round of the Bellator Season 3 115 lb women's tournament at Bellator 25. Gurgel won the fight via unanimous decision.

Shoot Boxing

In September 2011, Penne agreed to fight two-time Girls S-Cup champion Rena Kubota in a shoot boxing bout in Japan. Shoot boxing allows kicks, punches, knees, throws, and standing submissions (chokeholds, armlocks and wristlocks). Penne was added to the Shoot Boxing 2011: Act 4 fight card against Rena Kubota a week before the event. Penne beat the heavily favored Kubota in a significant upset. The bout was ruled a majority draw after the first three scheduled rounds with scores of 29-29, 29-29, and 30-29 (Penne). The fight then went to a fourth extension round, which was judged a split draw with scores of 10-9 (Kubota), 10-9 (Penne), and 10-10. The fifth and final round went to the scorecards as well and Penne was awarded the majority decision, 10-9, 10-9, and 9-9.

Invicta FC

In February 2012, it was announced that Penne was signed by the upstart all-women's promotion Invicta Fighting Championships.

On April 28, 2012, Penne made her Invicta debut at their inaugural event entitled Invicta FC 1: Coenen vs. Ruyssen, against Lisa Ellis in the co-main event. She won the fight via TKO (strikes) at 2:48 of round 3.

Penne competed once again for Invicta on October 6, 2012, this time headlining Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama against the then-#1 ranked Atomweight fighter in the world and Jewels 105-pound champion, Naho Sugiyama. The fight marked the first championship bout in Invicta's history, in any weight class. Penne became Invicta's first Atomweight champion when she defeated Sugiyama in the second round via triangle choke.

Penne's first defense of the championship headlined Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson when she defended against Michelle Waterson on April 5, 2013. Penne lost the fight and the championship via armbar submission in the fourth round.

Penne faced Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg on July 13, 2013. She defeated Rivera-Calanoc by submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round. Penne received a "Submission of the Night" bonus for the victory.

The Ultimate Fighter

On July 3, 2014, it was announced that Penne was one of 16 contestants on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Pettis vs. Team Melendez, which would crown the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first strawweight champion.

Penne was the fifth pick by coach Anthony Pettis. She faced Lisa Ellis in the preliminary round of the tournament and won via submission in the first round. She defeated fellow Team Pettis teammate Aisling Daly in the quarterfinals via decision win. In the semifinal round, she lost to her friend Carla Esparza by decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Penne made her UFC debut on December 12, 2014 at the The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale, facing fellow semifinalist Randa Markos on the main card. She won the back-and-forth fight by split decision. The bout also won Penne her first Fight of the Night bonus award from the promotion.

Strawweight title shot

Penne was scheduled to face Juliana Lima on May 30, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67. However, Penne was pulled from that bout in favor of a match-up with UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk on June 20, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 69, after that event's headliner bout fell apart. She lost the fight in the third round via TKO following a flurry of punches and a knee against the cage. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.

Post title shot

In her first fight following her title shot loss, Penne faced Jéssica Andrade on June 4, 2016 at UFC 199. She lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Penne next faced Danielle Taylor on April 22, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Penne is a kickboxer who also utilizes grappling and jiu-jitsu. While standing, she often attacks with hooks, body kicks, and knees from a clinch. Penne regularly attempts to take opponents to the mat, normally with clinches, trips, or takedown reversals. During a grappling session, she will usually attack with strikes before attempting a submission. Penne earned her black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Lucas Leite in January 2015.

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (Two times)
• Invicta Fighting Championships
  • Atomweight Championship (One time; first)
  • Submission of the Night (One time)
• Bellator Fighting Championships
  • Competed in and won the First Women's fight in Bellator history at Bellator 5
• Women's MMA Awards
  • 2013 Fight of the Year vs. Michelle Waterson on April 5
• FightBooth.com
  • 2012 Lady Violence Award

Mixed martial arts exhibition record