LAS VEGAS – After notching the primary submission win of her profession, Angela Hill is as assured as ever, and believes she is prepared for yet one more run for the UFC strawweight title.
At UFC Battle Night time 241, Hill (17-13 MMA, 12-13 UFC) wrapped up Luana Pinheiro with a Efficiency of the Night time-winning guillotine choke, forcing her opponent to faucet in Spherical 2. The self-dubbed “Grappler Ange” has arrived, and can probably enter the promotion’s high 10, which suggests large issues alternatives are forward.
The end of Pinheiro (11-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) itself was a shock for Hill, which speaks to her continued progress within the coaching room, and her skill to adapt to what happens contained in the octagon.
“I didn’t suppose she was going to shoot on me, so it wasn’t even actually within the gameplan,” Hill informed reporters throughout a post-fight information convention. “Like, we didn’t even work on it backstage or something, nevertheless it’s one thing that I’ve been hitting quite a bit within the health club. My guillotines, my transitions from the defended guillotines, all that, has been actually growing within the health club. For me to have the ability to sinch that, get it in there, that felt actual good.”
After her struggle, Hill turned her consideration to what could come subsequent. With 25 UFC fights, she has already confronted a number of high names in her division. One title, particularly, stood out above the remainder: former champion Jessica Andrade, whom she met in her return to the UFC in 2017. Hill believes getting that Battle of the Night time resolution loss again would put her in a primary place for a title shot.
“I simply suppose it’s going to be a banger, the primary one was,” Hill stated. “We’ve each gotten higher since then. We’ve each gained and misplaced some large fights. So I really feel like this may very well be one other one which get me straight to that title shot if I win. A win over Andrade has gotten lots of people a title shot, and I consider I can do it.
“I even had a second in that struggle the place I dropped her. I feel anybody who pressures me, it helps me discover these openings and it helps me get that energy. I take a few of their energy and use it in opposition to them, you realize? So, I really feel like it will be a enjoyable struggle. One which’s like, I’ve lots of materials to organize for, but in addition I might present simply the place I’ve gotten higher. I feel, hey, I’m a grappler now. I can do all of it, so we’ll see how she approaches ‘Grappler Ange.’”
Whether or not it’s time to face one other new title or get revenge in opposition to previous opponents, Hill is up for all of it. The 39-year-old strawweight striker is keen to get again to motion, as she believes she has hit a brand new stride now that she has begun specializing in the psychological facet of the sport for the primary time in her profession.
“I’m assured that I belong,” Hill stated. “I’m assured that I deserve that run, and my age ain’t nothing however a quantity. I’m getting extra ferocious, I’m extra mature in my struggle IQ, and I’m not slowing down. It’s not like I can’t dangle with the children, I’m beating up the children, so give me some extra.”
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