Strawweight fighter Luana Pinheiro did pick up a win during her UFC debut on Saturday, but not in a manner she intended to. The 27-year-old Brazilian won via disqualification after eating an illegal upkick from Randa Markos in the first round of their prelim fight.
The kick was purely accidental but it nonetheless cracked Pinheiro squarely on the jaw. She remained to lie on her back for a few minutes as referee Mark Smith called an end to the fight.
While there was no doubt that she was hit clean, fans are questioning how she handled herself.
Remember that up kick barboza ate from Ferguson that changed the fight and he kept fighting and didn’t complain after the fact. Luana pinheiro has no pride! Absolute coward and disgrace to the sport
— Daylor (@Dayl0r) May 2, 2021
I’m sorry but the way Luana Pinheiro acted was a joke. That kick was SOFT. These girls are extremely tough, it takes a lot to put them out. Biggest flop I’ve seen in recent MMA.
— Noah Hembree (@NoahHembree) May 2, 2021
And the award goes to….
Luana Pinheiro..
Don’t get me wrong It was an illegal shot but it wasn’t a really hard heavy up kick..but you all have to admit she Did act up after the fight was called off
No need to make yourself look stupid.
OH AND
RANDA STOP FUCKING CRYING..— Nicky Kane ✈️ ️ (@NickKan07779147) May 2, 2021
Color commentator Paul Felder also insinuated during the broadcast that Pinheiro could’ve been “acting,” a statement he later took back.
After an illegal kick by Randa Markos landed, Luana Pinheiro could not continue and was declared the winner by disqualification at #UFCVegas25 pic.twitter.com/XYJIxNXEFM
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 2, 2021
As it turned out, Pinheiro may have been greatly compromised by the kick. Here she is being carried to the backstage area by one of her coaches.
Luana Pinheiro being carried to the back #UFCVegas25 pic.twitter.com/0aeW6K0O0u
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) May 2, 2021
The win boosts Pinheiro’s record to 9-1. Markos, on the other hand, is now on her fourth straight loss. Her last victory was a split decision against Ashley Yoder in October 2019.
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