UFC Fight Night 198: Luana Pinheiro vs. Sam Hughes: Prediction and Analysis

UFC Fight Night 198 preliminary card will start with an interesting strawweight fight. Brazilian Luana Pinheiro will take on Sam Hughes.

Luana Pinheiro is one of the most exciting prospects in the strawweight division. The Dana White’s Contender Series graduate is currently on a seven-fight win streak. She is looking like an improved fighter with every fight.

Pinheiro got five of her first six wins via submission but seems to have improved on her striking as well. Two of her last three wins have come via knockout. A win against Hughes might get her a ranked opponent next.

The start of Sam Hughes’s career was great. She began with a four-fight win streak and earned herself an LFA title shot. ‘Sampage’ lost the fight via submission to Vanessa Demopoulos.

Even though she bounced back from the loss, she lost her next two fights and is currently 0-2 in the UFC. She is stepping in to fight Pinheiro on 12 days’ notice.

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UFC Fight Night 198: Luana Pinheiro vs. Sam Hughes

Luana Pinheiro is a top-notch prospect. She is currently 9-1 in her career and is has won her last seven fights. She likes to start aggressively, as eight of her nine wins have come in the first round. Pinheiro is a veteran judoka and even though she has improved her striking, taking her opponents to the ground is still her strong suit. If the Brazilian sticks to her game, she can look at an early finish for her.

Sam Hughes is currently on a two-fight losing skid, and wouldn’t want another loss on her resume. She is taking on one of the brightest prospects in the UFC right now, and a win here will only help her raise her stock.

‘Sampage’ has the advantage when it comes to striking. However, an excellent grappler like Pinheiro will cause her trouble. She is currently 5-3 in her pro MMA career and is 1-3 in her last four fights.

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Prediction: Luana Pinheiro to win the first round via submission.