Claudia Gadelha got a close split decision win over a game Angela Hill in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 8.
Claudia Gadelha and Angela Hill collided Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 8 in Jacksonville, Florida, at an interesting time for the 115-pound weight class.
If MMA is a sport that is unpredictable and at times more than a little crazy, than the strawweight division is the perfect representation of that. It has felt, over the past year or two, like the division has turned on a dime. After Joanna Jedrzejczyk was dethroned, the UFC went through Rose Namajunas, then Jessica Andrade, as champs. Suddenly, it felt like any number of fighters could claim the title, and in the end, it was Weili Zhang who did.
Angela Hill opened up with the pressure on Gadelha immediately. Gadelha looked for a takedown after being backed up against the cage but Hill stuffed it, eating a punch on the break. Hill stepped in with a nice knee to the body followed by a left hook by the fence. Gadelha looked to find a home for the right hand, as Hill kept looking for the left hook. Hill stepped in with a left hook and Gadelha got the fight into the clinch and pushed Hill up to the fence and began looking for the takedown. Gadelha got the trip takedown and ended up in side control. Gadelha looked to get Hill’s back, but Hill scrambled and ended the round on the feet.
Hill went back to pressuring Gadelha to start the second round. Hill landed a check hook that caused a cut over Gadelha’s eye, then followed up with a right hand that dropped Gadelha hard! Hill let Gadelha up and tried to flurry to get the finish but Gadehla seemed to be recovering. Hill jumped in for the left hook and ate a right hand from Gadelha. Gadelha followed up with a takedown attempt but Hill stuffed it. Gadelha landed a big right that seemed to get Hill’s respect and throw her off rhythm for a minute. However, Hill was soon right back it, ending the round throwing a big combination punctuated by a head kick followed by a knee.
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Both women came out swinging to start the third round. Hill continued to find a home with the check left hook, with Gadelha landing the right hand as well. Gadelha landed a stiff low kick that got Hill’s attention, and Hill turned up the pressure. Hill stepped in with an elbow that landed flush, and Gadelha responded with a one-two that landed. Hill began landing the right hand, landing three in a row as Gadelha tried to advance. Gadelha landed a nice left hook that snapped Hill’s head back and tried to push the pace. Gadelha went for a takedown late in the round, but Hill stuffed it and ate an elbow on the break. Gadelha and Hill then swung until the final horn!
Claudia Gadelha def. Angela Hill by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
