Luana Pinheiro and Angela Hill, ranked #9 and #12 in the UFC women’s strawweight division, respectively, faced off at UFC Vegas 92 on Saturday.
With Pinheiro engaged in a fight with Hill in Las Vegas, she was forced to forgo her brother’s wedding that very same day in Brazil- though according to the UFC Vegas 92 broadcast, the family would take in the fight prior to the bride making the walk down the aisle on Saturday.
That was no doubt extra motivation for Pinheiro, who would have to overcome to volume of “Overkill” at the UFC APEX. No easy feat, as it turned out, though the finish wouldn’t come on the feet.
Hill, as is the norm for her, walked forward early, darting in and out, feinting, and working her right hand and kicks. Pinheiro looked to set up power shots, but “Overkill” appeared hip to them. When Pinheiro changed levels for a takedown, Hill easily fought it off. Pinheiro did land with a left, while Hill connected with a right as things started to open up and get scrappy. Hill wound up taking her opponent to the fence, working on a single leg takedown and eventually landing it when Pinheiro chased a guillotine. That choke wasn’t there, though Pinheirso stayed busy off her back, threatening with upkicks, but Hill managed to get her shots in from up top.
In round two, Hill stayed in the face of Luana Pinheiro, who fired off a low-percentage spinning back fist at one point. Hill was busier with not just her striking but feints and movement as well. Again they would end up along the fence with Hill showing improved grappling ability.
Moving off the cage, Hill’s jab split the guard, which was followed by the pair exchanging kicks. With just under two minutes remaining, a Hill jab sat Pinheiro down, who backpedaled before hitting the canvas. She popped back up, but Hill briefly put her in a front headlock, then fired a head kick moments later that could have been fighting-ending had it hit the mark full-force. Eventually, they’d hit the canvas with Angela Hill hitting a mounted guillotine (initially securing it off her back before rolling) of all things! Pinheiro tapped, and Hill had a big submission win, the first of her career! In UFC fight #25 for Hill, no less.
A slick submission for the Muay Thai specialist who has started to show more of a well-rounded game.
Official Result: Angela Hill def. Luana Pinheiro by submission (mounted guillotine), Round 2, 4:12
