Fight Preview
Luana Pinheiro will meet fellow Brazilian Amanda Ribas for an intriguing fight in the women’s 115-pound division at UFC Fight Night: Allen vs Craig on November 18th at Las Vegas Apex Facility, United States.
Pinheiro comes into this fight having just secured a split decision victory against Michelle Waterson-Gomez and is looking to improve on her top-10 ranking in the strawweight division. She will be one of two women’s MMA bouts featured on the main card; another will see newcomer Cris Macfer Ferreira Macedo make his MMA debut against seasoned veteran Ailin Evans-Smith.
Pinheiro boasts an overall 11-1 record in mixed martial arts and entered the UFC after impressing on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2016. Her unique fighting style allows her to dispatch opponents quickly and precisely; standing at 5’2″, weighing 115 pounds and boasting a reach of 62″.
Pinheiro defeated Waterson-Gomez in her last bout, knocking her out with a big right hand and front kick to the face in the third round. Although Waterson-Gomez landed some heavy strikes herself during the opening rounds, she struggled against Pinheiro’s punishing leg kicks and aggressive clinch work in later rounds. Waterson-Gomez attempted a comeback late in the fight by landing some hard shots against Pinheiro before trying for an illegal takedown, yet judges awarded her victory by way of a close split decision instead.
Ribas, 31, has experienced three consecutive losses in the UFC and is trying to get her career back on track following a tough loss against Maycee Barber that saw both leave the Octagon bloodied. Ribas is widely recognized as an exceptional grappler who can dominate inside the cage when she exerts her will over her opponent.
Ribas boasts a career MMA record of 11-4. She is known for utilizing her wrestling abilities effectively, particularly her superior submission defense abilities. Furthermore, Ribas boasts impressive striking numbers throughout her MMA career; connecting an average of 3.86 significant strikes per minute (39% targeted towards the head).
Ribas may be an all-round fighter, but she will find it difficult to keep pace with Pinheiro’s speed and striking offense. Ribas’ own stance is too slow and she lacks power to defend against Pinheiro’s powerful blows; therefore, her best chance lies within trying to enter clinch fights where she may utilize her superior grappling ability for takedown attempts.
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Luana Pinheiro vs Amanda Ribas Fight Information
- Date: 11/18/2023
- Time: 05:55 PM ET
- Location: UFC Apex in Las Vegas
- How to Watch Luana Pinheiro vs Amanda Ribas: ESPN+
- Live Stream: BT Sport.com
