Luana Pinheiro won by split decision over Michelle Waterson-Gomez at UFC 287.
Luana Pinheiro continued her winning streak with a split decision victory over Michelle Waterson-Gomez during the UFC 287 preliminary fight card. Waterson, the No.10 ranked strawweight, was looking to snap a two-fight skid and regain her footing in the division after losing four of her last five fights. Meanwhile, Pinheiro, ranked No.15, was hoping to take out a ranked veteran in the division and extend her winning streak to nine fights.
Waterson-Gomez started the fight aggressively, working to keep Pinheiro on the outside with jabs and front kicks whilst delivering leg kicks. She connected with a head kick and a spinning back elbow in the opening round and then knocked Pinheiro down with a high front kick just before the round ended. Pinheiro responded with a right hand and combination, enough to slow Waterson-Gomez’s momentum.
In the second round, Waterson-Gomez landed a big right hand early on and then followed it up with a front kick to the face. Pinheiro answered with leg kicks, launching powerful leg kicks that Waterson-Gomez struggled to react to. Pinheiro pressed forward and caused damage in the clinch, going back to delivering leg kicks each time the two separated. Every punch that Pinheiro threw carried the intention of ending the fight.
Waterson-Gomez changed levels and tried to get Pinheiro to the ground in the final round but was quickly pushed back. She then outworked Pinheiro and managed to secure a takedown in the final seconds of the fight. However, the judges scored the bout for Pinheiro by a split decision with the scorecards reading 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 for Pinheiro, despite the crowd not agreeing.
In conclusion, Pinheiro was able to outlast Waterson-Gomez in a fiercely contested bout, extending her winning streak and continuing her ascent up the UFC rankings. This victory will undoubtedly boost Pinheiro’s confidence and her chances of featuring in bigger fights in the near future.