The most active fighter in UFC strawweight history was back in action at UFC Sao Paulo on Saturday, as Angel Hill took on Brazil’s own Denise Gomes.
Former Invicta FC champ Hill was looking to bounce back from a loss to Mackenzie Dern in the fight, while Gomes had won two straight.
The experience advantage for Hill was considerable, and early on, she put the pressure on Gomes, bullying her to the canvas. Gomes was quickly back to her feet, but Hill had her tied up along the fence, firing knees and elbows in the clinch.
It wouldn’t be long before Hill took the fight back down, with “Overkill” very heavy on top, threatening to take the back. Gomes was being controlled, and was warned for either grabbing the fence or Hill’s glove. Either way, Gomes made it back up, only for Hill to land a trip. Back up, then back down again. At the midway mark of the round, however, Gomes finally found the space to throw and got aggressive, landing and backing Hill up to the fence. The veteran stayed composed, clinched up, and slowed things down, adding some knees to the midsection. In close, Gomes had little answer, and Hill landed an elbow off the break.
The next exchange saw Gomes land her right, and this time when they went down, it was Gomes in control. Gomes then went after an arm-bar, with a minute left in the frame. Hill kept it arm locked down then rolled through, escaping the submission and scrambling to the top.
Round two saw an active start on the feet with both fighters throwing an Hill sailing just wide on a spinning back fist attempt. Hill was putting on an impressive pace and mixed in shots to the body with her left hook. The clinch continued to favor Hill, and whether Denise Gomes could match the pace and maintain her cardio remained to be seen.
With about 90 seconds left in an active second round, Hill caught a kick and dumped Gomes. But the Brazilian was quickly back to her feet, and soon uncorked a couple of right hands that got her back in the round. Hill went back to her clinch game, and was in control through the final 30 seconds of the round, dragging Gomes down briefly with a body lock.
Gomes came out hot to start round three, but Angela Hill answered right back. And after connecting on the feet, she used a trip with a bodylock to take Gomes back down. Gomes turtled up, but was able to keep Hill from getting hooks in or hunting any subs; the Brazilian was soon back to her feet. Time, however, was going to be a factor in a fight that almost certainly had Gomes trailing.
Undeterred, Gomes would stay in the fight to the final buzzer. But there was no question Angela Hill had done enough to claim the win.
Official Result: Angela Hill def. Denise Gomes by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
