Luana Pinheiro

Background Pinheiro was born into a family of judokas and started the sport at the age of two in her hometown of João Pessoa. After an accomplished junior career in judo she moved to Belo Horizonte in 2011 in pursuit of a spot in the Brazilian Olympic judo team. However, her Olympic dreams didn't materialize and she opted to start training mixed martial arts in late 2015.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Pinheiro racked a 7–1 record, competing in Brazilian regional circuit and Brave Combat Federation before being invited to Dana White's Contender Series.

Dana White's Contender Series Pinheiro faced Stephanie Frausto at Dana White's Contender Series 35 on November 10, 2020. She won the fight via first-round technical knockout and was awarded a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Pinheiro was scheduled to make her promotional debut against Randa Markos on March 27, 2021, at UFC 260. However, Markos was removed from the card on March 18 after testing positive for COVID-19. The bout was rescheduled for May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka. Pinheiro won the bout via disqualification in the first round after Markos accidentally upkicked her in the head, rendering her unable to continue.

Pinheiro was scheduled to make her sophomore appearance in the organization against Jessica Penne at UFC Fight Night 198 on November 20, 2021. However Penne withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reason and she was replaced by Sam Hughes. She won the bout via unanimous decision.

Pinheiro was again scheduled to face Jessica Penne on April 30, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208. Their bout is once again cancelled due to Pinheiro pulling out due to an undisclosed injury.

Pinhero faced Michelle Waterson on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. She won the close bout via split decision.

Pinhero faced Amanda Ribas on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232. She lost the fight by TKO in the third round.

Pinhero faced Angela Hill on May 18, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 241. She lost the bout by a guillotine choke submission in the second round.

Pinhero faced Gillian Robertson on November 9, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 247. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Pinhero faced Tecia Pennington on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Professional grappling career Pinheiro competed against Ffion Davies in the co-main event of ADXC 2 on January 19, 2024. She lost the match by submission in the first round.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Tecia Pennington Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Gillian Robertson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Angela Hill Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Amanda Ribas TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Michelle Waterson-Gomez Decision (split) UFC 287

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Sam Hughes Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Randa Markos DQ (illegal upkick) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Stephanie Frausto KO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 35

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Helen Harper KO (punches) Brave CF 29

Isa Town, Bahrain Win

Yasmeli Araque Submission (rear-naked choke) Brave CF 26

Bogotá, Colombia Win

Elaine Leal Submission (guillotine choke) Brave CF 11

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Jessica Kelly Soares Rodrigues Submission (rear-naked choke) Federação Fight 7

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Charlene Batista de Souza Submission (armbar) Federação Fight 4

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Loss

Cris Macfer Ferreira Macedo Decision (split) All Fights 1

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Jessica Kelly Soares Rodrigues Submission (armbar) BH Sparta 10

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Thatiane Araújo Decision (unanimous) BH Sparta 9

Belo Horizonte, Brazil