Cláudia Gadelha

Claudia Gadelha vs. Angela Hill

Round 1
In this co-main event, former title challenger Gadelha (17-4, 6-4 UFC) will look to stave off the momentum of “Overkill” Hill (12-7, 7-7 UFC) at strawweight. This potentially all-action scrap will gain oversight by referee Keith Peterson, and no nonsense will be tolerated for this next fight. Gadelha starts with a low kick, as they do not bother with touching gloves, and Hill tries to angle her way in while avoiding the left hand from the Brazilian. Gadelha shoots in for takedown but cannot score it, although she does manage to land a left hand in the process. Hill is the one pressing the pace, but other than a knee on the inside, she did not land much of significance in this exchange. Gadelha jabs her way in and blocks the looping left hand counter. The former challenger goes to the body and slaps a leg kick while dodging what Hill throws her way. Hill slips in a left, but Gadelha connects with an overhand left and a right to the body. Gadelha catches Hill on the way in with a jab, while blocking the left hook from Hill again. The jab from Gadelha scores again, and the two clinch up to throw hard but Gadelha wants the body lock takedown. Gadelha presses “Overkill” to the fence, and tries to trip Hill’s leg out but cannot secure it. Gadelha drops down for a single, and Hill defends it to stand Gadelha back up. Gadelha doggedly pursues this takedown, clinging to Hill like a bad penny while sneaking the leg out. “Claudinha” manages to hit the takedown she so desperately sought, partially because she muscled the fight down to her realm. She lands in side control, and grinds an elbow on Hill’s chin. Gadelha pulls her right arm free to land a punch, although Hill is holding on tight to block the strike and try to walk up the fence. Gadelha places her knee on Hill’s stomach to get top position, and in the scramble, Hill gets to her knees and eats some short punches. Although she stands up, Gadelha is practically attached at the hip until the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gadelha
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gadelha
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gadelha

Round 2
Hill begins the round with the jab, allowing Gadelha to swing with a few power strikes to back Hill off. Gadelha is able to see Hill’s punches coming, as she protects the lion’s share of them in time to block or avoid them. Three punches from Gadelha only see one land, but Hill fires back with a left straight. Another from Hill opens a cut under Gadelha’s eye. A huge right hand from Hill sends Gadelha crashing down to the ground, and Hill listens to her corner and backs off. Allowing Gadelha to stand up, an excited Hill plants a solid uppercut on Gadelha’s chin. Gadelha is wearing it now, and a forced takedown does not succeed as she takes another left in the process. Hill’s speed is playing a factor now, as she lands a one-two but gets out of danger when Gadelha wings shots back at her. Gadelha ties her up again and eats a knee on the body, but it is Hill that briefly tosses her aside. The Brazilian stands back up, but Hill is now on the offense against the fence. As Gadelha circles out and tries to load up on a left, Hill ducks out of the way and they return to the center of the cage. Gadelha swings and misses with a few power punches, and dodges Hill’s left hand to land a right of her own. Gadelha swings and scores with a heavy right hand to catch Hill, and then nails Hill with a left with equal power. Hill stuffs a takedown and works the body with a few punches, and the two start trading. Hill again targets the body with punches, while Gadelha is primarily headhunting. Hill throws a few front kicks to break up her routine, and just avoids a glancing blow from the hard-swinging Brazilian. “Overkill” catches Gadelha on the end of a left hand to possibly stumble her, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hill

Round 3
Gadelha tries to start off by putting the fight where she wants it, but Hill stuffs a quick takedown and starts to slug it out. Both women stand in front of each other and trade, with Hill relying on volume while Gadelha is loading up. Hill rips to the body with a combination, and rings a left off the forehead of her opponent. Gadelha digs in a solid leg kick, but admires her work a little too long and takes a one-two. Another punch from Hill makes Gadelha check her nose briefly, and Hill follows it up with a left. Hill escapes from a cocked back left hand from the Brazilian, and stings her with a left but gets caught on the jaw with an elbow. Gadelha scores a right, and Hill jabs a few times to snap Gadelha’s head back. Gadelha chases after her to try to swing hard, and Hill avoids the hard shots while sneaking in quick straight punches. As Gadelha comes in, Hill rings her bell with a left hand, and Gadelha takes a few hops to get her balance. Hill flips up a head kick that gets blocked, and hooks a right hand. Gadelha fires right back at her and plants a left hook on Hill’s face. Hill shoves her away to get some separation, and then sticks out a jab. As Gadelha overcommits to a right hook, Hill ducks to throw a spinning back elbow, but she cannot quite land it. A few short punches have busted the nose up of Gadelha, who is now leaking from multiple places on her face. Gadelha loads up with an elbow to crack Hill, and Hill does a quick count of her teeth. We hear the 10-second clapper, and these two slug it out right until the end. Wow, what a fight. This is almost certainly going to be a close one, and win or lose, Hill's stock should definitely rise for hanging in there with a top contender.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill (29-28 Hill)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gadelha (29-28 Gadelha)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hill (29-28 Hill)

The Official Result
Claudia Gadelha def. Angela Hill via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)