Waterson-Gomez vs Pinheiro

Who won Waterson-Gomez vs Pinheiro?

Luana Pinheiro beat Michelle Waterson by split decision in their 3 round contest during the prelims of UFC 287, on Saturday 8th April 2023 at Miami-Dade Arena in Miami.

The scorecards were announced as in favor of winner Luana Pinheiro.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Women’s Strawweight division, which meant the weight limit was 115 pounds (8.2 stone or 52.2 KG).

Waterson-Gomez vs Pinheiro stats

Michelle Waterson stepped into the octagon with a record of 18 wins, 10 loses and 0 draws, 3 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 9 by submission.

Luana Pinheiro made her way to the cage with a record of 10 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, with 2 of those wins by knock out and 5 by submission.

The stats suggested Pinheiro had a slight advantage in power over Waterson, with a 20% knock out percentage over Waterson's 17%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested that Waterson and Pinheiro would have been pretty equal, both with a 50% submission rate.

Michelle Waterson was the older woman by 8 years, at 37 years old.

Pinheiro had a height advantage of 1 inch over Waterson. Despite this, both fighters had equal reach.

Waterson was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 17 more fights, and made her debut in 2007, 9 years and 7 months earlier than Pinheiro, whose first professional fight was in 2016. She had fought 51 more professional rounds, 71 to Pinheiro's 20.

Activity check

Waterson's last 3 fights had come over a period of 6 years, 1 month and 16 days, meaning she had been fighting on average every 2 years and 15 days. In those fights, she fought a total of 8 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.7 rounds on average.

Pinheiro's last 2 fights had come over a period of 2 years and 30 days, meaning she had been fighting on average every 1 year and 15 days. In those fights, she fought a total of 4 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Waterson-Gomez vs Pinheiro?

Michelle Waterson was a 13/10 (+130) underdog going into the contest, while Luana Pinheiro made her way into the ring at 8/13 (-160) with oddsmakers.