In one of the best fights in the history of The Ultimate Fighter competition, Raquel “Rocky” Pennington earned a big win during tonight’s sixth episode of TUF 18: “Team Rousey vs Team Tate” on FOX Sports 1 and Sportsnet 360. Pennington outpointed Jessamyn “The Gun” Duke after three rounds.

Both fighters put on excellent performances in tonight’s battle, which was even on the scorecards after two rounds. Pennington came on strong in an extension round to take a Unanimous Decision victory over Duke, giving Miesha “Cupcake” Tate a 3-2 lead over rival coach “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey.

Pennington countered jabs from the much taller Duke with leg kicks in round one and caught a knee. Duke countered with uppercuts and pulled her leg free, then locked on a standing guillotine choke. Pennington escaped and broke free of the clinch with a slashing elbow over the top. Pennington began to land hooks over the top of Duke’s jab, but Duke remained active with her kicking game. Pennington flurried with punches late in the round and Duke answered back with a front kick before the bell.

Duke continued to mix up her strikes well in the second round and she put together combinations of punches and kicks to the body. Pennington bloodied Duke’s nose with punches, but Duke secured a Thai clinch and threw knees. The pace remained high as both women landed combos and Pennington swarmed with a barrage of punches. Duke held strong and landed knees, but Pennington kept the pressure on and she landed more hard right hands. Duke finished the round with punches and knees.

With the bout even after two rounds, an extension round was required. Duke opened the action with a quick combination that was met by a right hook from Pennington. Once again, Pennington backed Duke up with punches, but a resilient Duke regained her footing and fired back with knees and a head kick. Duke kicked from a distance and Pennington flurried with punches. Late in the fight, Duke cut Pennington with a knee and the amazing war came to an end with both women landing strikes.

All three judges scored the final round 10-9 in Pennington’s favour, but Duke put on a tremendous performance in what was clearly the Fight of the Season thus far. After dropping back-to-back bouts, Team Tate regained control of the fight picks thanks to Pennington’s victory. Next week, undefeated fighters collide when Team Tate’s Josh Hill takes on Team Rousey’s Mike Wootten.

(Photo Credit: UFC)