Penne was born in Newport Beach, California, on January 30, 1983, and graduated from Diamond Bar High School, participating on the softball and swimming teams.

[10] 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).

[11] Penne was added to the Shoot Boxing 2011: Act 4 fight card against Rena Kubota a week before the event.

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.

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

[20][21] Penne faced Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg on July 13, 2013.

She defeated fellow Team Pettis teammate Aisling Daly in the quarterfinals via decision win.

Penne made her UFC debut on December 12, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale, facing fellow semifinalist Randa Markos on the main card.

[31][32] In her first fight following her title shot loss, Penne faced Jéssica Andrade on June 4, 2016, at UFC 199.

Penne next faced Danielle Taylor on April 22, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov.

[38] However, it was reported on April 18, 2019, that Penne pulled out of the bout, due to an injury, and she was replaced by Angela Hill.

[39] Penne faced a four-year ban from competition from the United States Anti Doping Agency, following a second infraction of the USADA program.

Penne's first fight after USADA suspension was scheduled to take place on March 27, 2021, against Hannah Goldy at UFC 260.

[44] A week before the bout, Goldy pulled out of the event, and she was replaced by LFA Women's Strawweight champion Lupita Godinez.

[57] Cheyanne Vlismas was scheduled to face Tabatha Ricci, but Penne stepped in replacing Vlismas, who pulled out for October 1, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 211,[58] however the fight was cancelled due to an illness with Penne on the day of the weigh in's.

[61] Penne faced former Cage Fury FC Women's Strawweight Champion Elise Reed on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245.

[66][67] Penne regularly attempts to take opponents to the mat, normally with clinches, trips, or takedown reversals.