Luana Pinheiro is stepping into somewhat uncharted territory. She’s navigating the challenging waters of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s women’s strawweight division. At 31, this Brazilian fighter is gearing up for a comeback. She’s facing off against Angela Hill, a former Invicta Fighting Championships titleholder. This match is set to be a highlight of UFC Fight Night 241 in Las Vegas.
Pinheiro’s journey hasn’t been easy. She’s positioned within the top 10 at 115 pounds, a spot with little room for error. Her last fight was a tough one. Amanda Ribas took her down with a spinning wheel kick and follow-up punches at UFC Fight Night 232 last November. That fight ended Pinheiro’s impressive nine-fight winning streak.
“I made some errors that cost me,” Pinheiro admitted in a chat with Sherdog.com. She’s watched the fight multiple times, learning from her mistakes. “We never truly lose. We learn,” she reflected. Despite the loss, her focus hasn’t wavered. She’s constantly improving, adding new techniques to her arsenal.
Angela Hill, a veteran of Season 20 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” has been a UFC mainstay for nearly a decade. Representing Alliance MMA, Hill has secured three wins in her last four fights. She recently defeated Denise Gomes by unanimous decision. Hill holds records in the strawweight division for most appearances, total fight time, and significant strikes landed.
Pinheiro respects Hill’s experience. “She was already fighting MMA when I was only a judoka,” she noted. Hill’s experience and intelligence in the ring make her a formidable opponent. But Pinheiro is ready. She’s seen improvements in Hill’s grappling and is preparing for a fight that will showcase their skills both standing and on the ground.
Preparation for Pinheiro involved starting her training camp at Nova Uniao in Brazil. Later, she moved to Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture and the UFC Performance Institute. Adjusting to the dry Vegas climate was crucial for her.
Joining the UFC roster through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, Pinheiro has since defeated Randa Markos, Sam Hughes, and Michelle Waterson-Gomez. She’s eager to bounce back from her loss to Ribas. “I’m excited,” she said, looking forward to demonstrating her growth in the upcoming fight.