Former Invicta FC strawweight champ and UFC veteran Angela Hill took on former Invicta flyweight champ Ketlen Souza at UFC Vegas 102 on Saturday.
The fight was Souza’s third straight since her return to 115lbs, and she was looking to notch a third consecutive win.
As is common on any Angela Hill fight, there was plenty over movement and action early in the preliminary card bout. “Overkill” Hill was pushing the pace, but Souza continued to walk forward, letting her hands go. Both women mixed in kicks, and traded in the clinch, but it was Hill winning the positional battles along the fence. When the pair went to the mat with just over 90 seconds in the frame remaining, Hill looked to set up a front choke. When the choke wasn’t there, she transitioned to the back, finishing the round there.
More fast-paced action kicked off the second, though Souza was able to avoid takedowns through the first couple of minutes. Near the midway mark, Souza fired a head kick that Hill blocked just in time. Hill then fired a knee, and fanned on a spinning back fist. A competitive round, and an improved round for Souza.
Angela Hill put Souza on her back early in round three, and had the pair tied up in close to the fence. Souza had nowhere to go, but the cramped space was also making it difficult for Hill to improve her own position. Souza finally shifted away from the fence and scrambled to her feet. There, she fired a wild overhand, then a kick, with Hill firing back. Hill could be seen taking a breath, and Souza looked like the fresher fighter. Angela stayed in it however, drilling Souza with kicks and a knee before driving in on another takedown with just over a minute left. This time, Souza fought the attempt off, and with the round potentially still up for grabs the final minute loomed large. They’d battle it out to the bell, with the judges giving the nod to Angela Hill – two of them anyway.
Official Result: Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
