The women’s strawweight division has become one of the UFC’s most exciting weight classes, blending speed, technique, and tenacity. Amid a stacked roster of world-class athletes, one name that’s rapidly climbed the ranks is Luana Pinheiro. With a foundation in Olympic-level judo and a fearless approach to mixed martial arts, Pinheiro has captured attention for her dynamic throws, slick submissions, and unshakeable confidence in the cage.
Born and raised in João Pessoa, Brazil, Pinheiro’s journey began long before her first mixed-martial-arts bout. As a toddler, she was thrown onto the mats by her father—an accomplished judoka—and by age 2 she was already mastering the art of balance, leverage, and timing. Today, she carries that judo pedigree into every fight, blending it seamlessly with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, striking, and an ever-evolving MMA arsenal.
What the Fighter Is Known For
Pinheiro’s signature strength lies in her explosive judo-based grappling. With a black belt in judo and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, she excels at clinch entries, high-impact throws, and rapid transitions into submission holds. Opponents often find themselves flat on their backs before realizing they’re already in an armbar or choke—five of her eleven career wins have come via submission.
This relentless grappling threat, combined with ever-improving striking, makes her a dual-danger fighter who can finish battles both standing and on the ground.
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Key Stats
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Full Name: Luana Munize Barbosa Pinheiro
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Born: November 18, 1993 (age 31)
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Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
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Weight Class: Strawweight (115 lb / 52 kg)
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Reach: 62 in (157 cm)
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Team: BH Rhinos; Nova União
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Rank: Black belt in Judo; Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Pro MMA Record: 11 wins, 4 losses (2 KO, 5 sub, 3 dec, 1 DQ wins; 1 KO, 1 sub, 2 dec losses)
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UFC Women’s Strawweight Ranking: #15 (as of April 29, 2025)
Career Highlights
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Dana White’s Contender Series 35: Secured a UFC contract with a first-round TKO of Stephanie Frausto (Nov 10, 2020).
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UFC Debut: Won via first-round disqualification against Randa Markos at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka (May 1, 2021).
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First UFC Decision: Took unanimous decision over Sam Hughes at UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate (Nov 20, 2021).
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Top-Level Win: Edged veteran Michelle Waterson by split decision at UFC 287 (Apr 8, 2023).
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Learning Experiences: Faced setbacks with a TKO loss to Amanda Ribas (Nov 18, 2023), a submission loss to Angela Hill (May 18, 2024), and a unanimous decision defeat against Gillian Robertson (Nov 9, 2024).
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Concluding Thoughts
Luana Pinheiro’s blend of Olympic-caliber judo and ever-sharpening MMA skills has made her one of the most intriguing prospects in the women’s strawweight division. While her recent losses underscore the fine margins at the top level, each challenge has only sharpened her resolve.
As she looks ahead to the next chapter—potentially a matchup with Tecia Pennington in May 2025—the combination of her grappling pedigree, submission prowess, and growing striking arsenal suggests she’ll be a fixture in the top-10 conversation for years to come.
For more on the UFC’s top female talent, check out Top 7 UFC’s Hottest Female Fighters Today.