Raquel Pennington Inquires About Julianna Peña’s UFC 307 Preparation: Concerns About Altitude May Play a Significant Role
Regarding Julianna Peña’s tardiness in arriving in Salt Lake City for their highly anticipated UFC 307 encounter, Raquel Pennington has expressed grave worries. Given Utah’s high-altitude atmosphere, Pennington thinks her decision to delay Peña’s arrival until the week of the bout could come back to haunt her.
Colorado native Pennington (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC), who is used to training at high altitudes, is aware of how taxing it can be on the body. On Saturday at the Delta Center, she will defend her bantamweight title against Peña (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). The fight is scheduled to take place as part of the co-main event of UFC 307.
On the other hand, Peña is not as concerned about altitude. She dismissed the idea of needing to travel to Salt Lake City several weeks ahead of time in order to adjust, telling MMA Junkie that arriving a few days early should be plenty. Peña claims that you only need to arrive on Monday of fight week in order to get ready for the event.
Pennington, whose work and life have been molded by Colorado’s unique atmosphere, is adamantly in disagreement.
Altitude Is Serious Business
In a recent interview, Pennington said, “Altitude is not a joke.” People are genuinely affected by it. You know how many visitors say things like, “Oh my gosh, we don’t know why we’re feeling this or that, and we’re just standing here,” when they come to visit? The height is the cause.”
Her worries stem from years of training in the demanding conditions of Colorado. Countless sportsmen have underestimated the altitude, causing them to struggle even with simple duties, never mind a fierce battle, as she has witnessed. Pennington can attest firsthand to the seriousness of this situation.
“Then when you’re pushing your body to the limit, it plays a part,” she continued. Even the easiest workouts may become more difficult due to the altitude. In combat, when your body is already at its absolute maximum, improper acclimation may mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Designed to Soar at Altitude
Pennington has a distinct advantage over sportsmen like Peña, who may not be accustomed to such harsh conditions, having grown up and trained at high altitudes. Pennington has experienced the change firsthand and notices a noticeable contrast when she trains at lower elevations, even if Peña dismissed the worry.
She affirmed, “I’m grateful for it.” “When I travel somewhere else, I see a significant difference. I sometimes feel like I’m actually inhaling too much, so I have to really slow down and regulate my breathing. I need to practice breathing a little differently because I tend to hyperventilate a little bit.
It’s evident that Pennington is considering more than simply the fighting techniques. She has been preparing by becoming accustomed to the physical demands of battling at high altitudes. She has a deep grasp of how these circumstances can affect performance and how risky it is to underestimate them thanks to her upbringing in Colorado.
Is Peña’s Bet Paying Off?
But Peña doesn’t seem to care. Pennington has warned her, but she has chosen to follow through on her initial plan. Arriving just days before the bout, Peña thinks she won’t need weeks of altitude adaptation because of her usual training regimen.
Still up for debate is whether Peña’s risk will pay off. Is the altitude in Utah going to be too much for her to handle? For Pennington, endurance, breathing, and the ability to push through times when the air seems too thin are equally as important as strength or technique.
The suspense is increased by Pennington’s warnings as supporters eagerly anticipate this high-stakes game. Even though it’s invisible, the altitude is a formidable foe. Additionally, competitors who underestimate the Octagon in Salt Lake City risk losing the bout.
