Raquel Pennington Questions Julianna Pena’s Decision to Bypass Altitude Training

Raquel
Pennington and Julianna
Pena have a difference of opinions about training at
elevation.

Pennington puts her women’s bantamweight title on the line against
Pena in the co-main event at UFC 307
on Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is
more than 4,000 feet above sea level. Fighters have been known to
arrive a few weeks in advance for bouts in Utah to get accustomed
to the elevation, including light heavyweight champ Alex
Pereira, who defends his title against Khalil
Rountree in the main event at UFC 307.

However, Pena doesn’t think that’s necessary. “The Venezuelan
Vixen” only arrived in Salt Lake City on Monday for her title bid.
Having fought in Colorado and Utah, both of which are at high
altitude, Pena doesn’t think she’ll need much time for acclimation.
According to former champ, if one is fit enough, the altitude
should barely be a concern.

“We are leaving on Monday,” Pena told MMAjunkie.com. “I have fought in Utah before. I
have fought in Denver before. I know that when I went out to Denver
three weeks early thinking that the elevation was this gigantic
thing that I had to get prepared for, I remember going out there
and after I got my first cardio session done, I was like, ‘I’m not
breathing hard. Nothing’s changed. What do you mean?’

“My strength coach was like, ‘I told you we didn’t need to come out
here early. If you’re in shape, you’re in shape.’ I’ll be there
Monday, and I’ll acclimate. I’ll have the whole week to acclimate,
and if you’re in shape, you’re in shape, and you have done your
work and done your job, then that’s the confidence you need. I know
that I have that mat time and all of the confidence in the world as
far as making sure that I’m working hard, so that’s all that
matters.”

However, Pennington begs to differ. The champ believes not arriving
early in Salt Lake City to train at elevation is a decision Pena
might come to regret. As a Colorado native, “Rocky” has noticed
significant differences while training at lower altitudes.

“Just being born and raised in altitude, yeah, I would say that’s a
mistake,” Pennington told MMAjunkie.com. “Altitude is not a joke. It
really does affect people. You know how many people come here to
visit and are like, ‘Oh my gosh, we don’t understand why we’re
feeling this or we’re feeling that and we’re just standing here.’
It’s the altitude, and then when you’re pushing your body to the
limit, it plays a part.

“I’m definitely thankful for it,” Pennington added. “I notice a big
difference when I go anywhere else. Sometimes I have to really slow
down and control my breathing because I feel like I’m actually
getting too much air, and I kind of hyperventilate a little bit, so
I have to train my breathing a little different. It’s something
that I think every athlete should take into consideration,
especially if you’re going to go push yourself to the limit.”