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. Next at Cal State Fullerton, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Penne is Italian American. Her father is the first generation of his Italian family born in the United States. Some of his family members remain in his family’s originating area of Turino, Italy.
In May 2009, Penne became the first woman to compete and win a bout in the Bellator Fighting Championships organization when she fought at Bellator 5 against Tammie Schneider in a 117-pound catchweight bout. She won the fight via TKO (punches) in the first round.
In August 2010, Penne met future Bellator Strawweight Champion Zoila Gurgel in the opening quarterfinal round of the Bellator Season 3 115 lb women's tournament at Bellator 25. Penne lost the fight via unanimous decision.

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