Gillian Robertson used her advantage in the wrestling and grappling departments to get the better of Luana Pinheiro on the scorecards tonight at UFC Fight Night 247.
Round One:
Jab for Pinheiro as she circles on the outside. She throws that again. As she looks for it once more Robertson times a takedown and lands it.
Pinheiro gets back up though, but Robertson is still clinched up. She looks to drag down Pinheiro again away from the cage, but only gets her partially down. Pinheiro back up again but still caught in the clinch.
It’s only a matter of time before Robertson is able to get her down again and takes the back. Pinheiro again does well to work her way back upright again.
Striking range now. Right hand for Robertson. Jab from Pinheiro. High kick from Robertson is blocked and then tries to go in for a takedown against the cage, but nothing doing this time around.
Back to striking range. Robertson goes for a takedown and Pinheiro drops to her back and tries to roll her opponent over the top without success. Robertson looking for ground-and-pound late in the round and lands a few 12-6 elbows, which have only just become legal in the sport.
Round Two:
Body punch from Pinheiro. Kick for Robertson. Jab from Pinheiro. Another jab upstairs and then one to the body. Head kick attempt from Robertson comes off the guard. A couple more kicks from Robertson and then attempts a takedown, but it’s stuffed.
Jabs for Pinheiro to the head and body. Now a right hand. Head kick attempt from Robertson blocked again. One-two for Pinheiro. Step-in jab to the body for her. She lands it again as Robertson was throwing a kick.
Pinheiro clips Robertson again and then more solid body work. Robertson clinches up against the cage now. She can’t work a takedown so backs off, but lands an elbow in close first.
Robertson back in again for the takedown, but doesn’t get it. Pinheiro back to jabbing again. Leg kick from Robertson.
Jab for Robertson. jab for Pinheiro. Low kick and front kick to the body from Robertson. Pinheiro jabs and then follows up with a right hand. Robertson times a takedown, but Pinheiro shows good balance to remain upright against the cage.
Robertson drags Pinheiro to the mat after a bit of a struggle. Pinheiro standing though as the round ends.
Round Three:
Pinheiro straight back to her jab which has been landing regularly throughout this fight. Low kicks from her now. Robertson clinches up and this time lands a solid takedown.
Half-guard for Robertson. She improves to full mount. Robertson starting to work elbow strikes. Robertson opts to shift off to side control, looking for the crucifix position as she does so. Not much happening from her so she goes back to full mount.
A few punches to the head and then body for Robertson. Pinheiro trying to scramble and manages to get up. Robertson trying to get her back down, but Pinheiro scrambles and gets on top. Pinheiro hoping to get something going late in the round, but before she can Robertson is the one scrambling now and gets back on top.
Robertson works to mount, but Pinheiro wriggles out and with just seconds to go starts unleashing upkicks to keep her opponent at bay.
Decision:
Pinheiro was able to use her jab to good effect on the feet during the fight, but it was Robertson’s takedowns and grappling the 1st and 3rd rounds that had the bigger impact overall and that leads her to a unanimous decision victory (29-27, 29-28 x2).
