SUMMARY
- While watching the UFC 297 PPV, Joe Rogan was duped into believing UFC champ Raquel Pennington used to live with Johnny Depp.
- Previously, Raquel Pennington faced a rather tumultuous time after she was mistaken for another person with the same name.
UFC 297 was a great start to the year for MMA fans, and they were very excited about it. As such, many tuned into the event from around the globe, including Joe Rogan. However, during the stream, Rogan was duped into believing UFC champ Raquel Pennington used to live with Johnny Depp.
For those unaware, Rogan was not on the commentary desk for UFC 297. Instead, he elected to stay home and stream via his Fight Companion along with Eddie Bravo, Brendan Schaub, and Joey Diaz. During the Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva fight, Schaub mentioned, “She (Pennington) used to live with Johnny Depp. Lived with him, they were really close”.
Brendan thought that the UFC’s Raquel Pennington lived with Johnny Depp pic.twitter.com/3Vu6pl6g7V
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) January 22, 2024
Naturally, the statement caught Rogan’s attention who said, “Oh she’s friends with Johnny Depp? No sh*t.” Further, the podcaster also asked, “During the (Amber Heard) trial? Oh no sh*t.” Unfortunately, Schaub and producer Jamie Vernon were misinformed as the newly crowned Bantamweight Champ is not affiliated with Johnny Depp. However, in their defense, it is a common misconception many have made.
Why was Raquel Pennington embroiled in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial?
Previously, Raquel Pennington faced a rather tumultuous time after she was mistaken for another person with the same name. Moreover, owing to their similar appearance and the same nickname, ‘Rocky’, it was a very easy mistake to make. As it turns out, the UFC fighter’s namesake was heavily involved in the controversial Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial.
Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned confusion, the UFC fighter was also drawn into this situation. Notably, the other Raquel happened to be Hollywood actress Amber Heard’s best friend and a Los Angeles-based yoga teacher. During the much-talked-about trial, Pennington testified against Johnny Depp, which was met with a lot of hatred from his fans. As a result, many took to sending death threats and vile messages to Heard’s friend.
This is starting to piss me off that ppls jobs are to report news but they can’t even get their facts straight! If your so invested in something you should know what your talking about! I don’t have shit to do with this situation! It’s another Raquel Pennington! https://t.co/QbuAGHzlWE
— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) June 28, 2022
Unfortunately, the easy mix-up meant that the messages were sent to the UFC fighter and her family instead of Heard’s friend. Taking to social media, the 35-year-old lashed out at media outlets and trolls for not being able to distinguish her from her namesake. Naturally, the entire ordeal was a forgettable one for Pennington, who even revealed that a lot of hate and abuse was directed at her partner, Tecia Torres, as well.
Raquel Pennington’s title win at UFC 297
Recently, Raquel Pennington was crowned the new Women’s Bantamweight Champion of the UFC. Having decisively beaten Mayra Bueno Silva in the co-main event of UFC 297, Pennington captured the title at the second time of asking. Previously, ‘Rocky‘ had taken on Amanda Nunes at UFC 224 but lost by way of KO/TKO.
As for her fight against Bueno Silva, Raquel did well to cope with any problems thrown at her. During the fight, the American outthrew and outlanded her opponent 256-96. Not only that, she also managed to survive three submission attempts from the Brazilian whilst getting in two of her own. Notably, with her title win at UFC 297, Pennington became the oldest female UFC Champion, aged 35.
“I have climbed mountains to get back here.”
It’s been 5 years since @RockyPMMA had her shot at a title fight. #UFC297 pic.twitter.com/wWHAW0y1BX
— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2024
With that said, it is understood that former champion Julianna Peña will be the next contender for the title. Having grabbed the title off of Amanda Nunes at UFC 269, Peña would then go on to lose it again at UFC 277. However, at the same time, “The Lioness“ who was in attendance for UFC 297, also hinted at a potential comeback in the future.
