Video: Pinheiro carried backstage after illegal upkick from Markos at UFC Vegas 25

Strawweight fighter Luana Pinheiro did pick up a win during her UFC debut on Saturday, but not in a manner she intended to. The…

By: Milan Ordoñez | 2 years ago
Video: Pinheiro carried backstage after illegal upkick from Markos at UFC Vegas 25
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

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.

Color commentator Paul Felder also insinuated during the broadcast that Pinheiro could’ve been “acting,” a statement he later took back.

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.

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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Milan Ordoñez
Milan Ordoñez

Milan Ordoñez has been covering combat sports since 2012 and has been part of the Bloody Elbow staff since 2016. He’s also competed in amateur mixed martial arts and submission grappling tournaments.

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