Luana Pinheiro has emerged as a dynamic presence in the UFC women’s strawweight division. Born into a judo family, she turned pro in 2016 and has since showcased world-class grappling and growing striking chops.
In this article, you will you about Luana Pinheiro’s net worth, salary, career earnings, career overview, and more.
Luana Pinheiro’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Luana Munize Barbosa Pinheiro |
| Date of Birth | November 18, 1992 |
| Age | 32 |
| Education | N/A |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 5’2″ (157 cm) |
| Weight | 115 lbs (52 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2016 |
| Net Worth | $50,000 |
| Salary/Career Earnings | Varies per fight |
| Girlfriend | UFC flyweight Matheus Nicolau |
| Instagram Profile | @luanapinheiromma |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Luana Pinheiro grew up in João Pessoa, Brazil, drenched in judo from age two under the guidance of her father, a judo master. She collected a string of junior national titles, Sul-American championships, a national wrestling silver medal, and a bronze at the Troféu Brasil Judô before switching focus to mixed martial arts in late 2015.
Pinheiro made her MMA debut in October 2016 at BH Sparta 9, winning a unanimous decision. She followed that up with a first-round armbar victory at BH Sparta 10, setting a pattern of early finishes that showcased her grappling pedigree. Over the next three years on the Brazilian regional circuit and Brave CF, she amassed a 7–1 record, impressing with a mix of submissions and knockout power.
Her highlight from that period came when she knocked out Stephanie Frausto in the first round of Dana White’s Contender Series 35 on November 10, 2020, earning a UFC contract and announcing her arrival on the global stage.
Professional Career
Pinheiro’s UFC debut came against Randa Markos at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka in May 2021. A freak upkick led to a disqualification win for Pinheiro, but it only fueled her hunger for a textbook victory in the Octagon. In November 2021 she outworked Sam Hughes over three rounds for a unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 198.
After an injury-forced cancellation in 2022, she returned at UFC 287 in April 2023 to edge Michelle Waterson-Gomez by split decision, proving she could hang with seasoned veterans. The momentum stalled in late 2023 and 2024 with losses to Amanda Ribas (TKO) and Angela Hill (guillotine choke), followed by a unanimous decision defeat to Gillian Robertson in November 2024 and Tecia Pennington.
Despite the three-fight skid, Pinheiro remains ranked inside the top 15 strawweights, and her first-round finishing rate in earlier bouts underscores her threat when she clicks.
Boyfriend
Luana Pinheiro’s life outside the cage is deeply intertwined with fellow UFC competitor Matheus Nicolau, currently ranked among the top flyweights. The pair met early in their professional journeys at a Nova União training camp in Belo Horizonte and quickly bonded over shared ambitions and a mutual dedication to combat sports.
While Pinheiro honed her judo-based grappling, Nicolau refined his own striking and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, creating a complementary partnership that thrives on mutual support.
They began dating in 2022 and regularly document their training sessions, travel routines, and recovery rituals on social media. Whether it’s weight-cut prep in the gym, technical sparring drills, or quiet moments stretching together, they share nearly every step of fight camp.
Their Instagram feed features snapshots of camp breakfasts, road trips to fight locations, and celebratory dinners after big wins.
Luana Pinheiro’s Net Worth Details
Luana Pinheiro’s net worth is estimated to be $50,000 as of 2025.
| Event | Opponent | Result | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC Fight Night 241 (5/18/24) | Angela Hill | Loss by submission | $4,500 |
| UFC Fight Night 232 (11/18/23) | Amanda Ribas | Loss by TKO | N/A |
| UFC 287 (4/8/23) | Michelle Waterson | Win by split decision | N/A |
| UFC Fight Night 198 (11/20/21) | Sam Hughes | Win by unanimous decision | N/A |
| UFC on ESPN (5/1/21) | Randa Markos | Win by disqualification | N/A |
Endorsements
Pinheiro’s standout partnership is with Venum, the UFC’s official outfitting sponsor, supplying her fight kits and walk-out gear. In Brazil, she collaborates with local fitness and sports nutrition brands, appearing in campaigns for jiu-jitsu academies and health supplements.
In 2022 she made history as the first female UFC athlete to take her entire fight purse in Bitcoin, partnering with BitWage. Pinheiro views cryptocurrency as a hedge against inflation, drawing on her own experience growing up under a weakening real.
That deal sparked interest among fighters looking for alternative payment methods and positioned her as a forward-thinking ambassador for the digital finance space. She’s also exploring potential collaborations with tech startups focused on athlete wellness tracking.
UFC Career Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 16 |
| Wins | 11 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By Knockout | 2 |
| By Submission | 5 |
| By Decision | 3 |
| By Disqualification | 1 |
| Division | Women’s Strawweight |
| UFC Ranking | #15 |
FAQs
1. Who is Luana Pinheiro and what division does she compete in?
Luana Munize Barbosa Pinheiro is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s women’s strawweight division. Born on November 18, 1993, in João Pessoa, she began training in judo at age two before transitioning to mixed martial arts. As of May 13, 2025, she is ranked #15 in the UFC strawweight rankings.
2. What martial arts credentials does Luana Pinheiro have?
She holds a black belt in judo and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reflecting her grappling expertise. She captured national and South American judo championships as a junior, earned a silver medal in national wrestling, and won a bronze medal in the Troféu Brasil Judô. Her favorite grappling technique is seoi nage.
3. How did Luana Pinheiro earn her UFC contract?
Pinheiro earned her UFC contract by competing on Dana White’s Contender Series 35, where she knocked out Stephanie Frausto via punches at 2:48 of the first round on November 10, 2020. Her first-round technical knockout performance secured her promotional contract and entry into the UFC.
4. What is Luana Pinheiro’s professional MMA record and finishing breakdown?
Her professional mixed martial arts record stands at eleven wins and five losses across sixteen total fights. Her victories include two knockouts, five submissions, three decisions and one by disqualification, while her defeats consist of one knockout loss, one submission loss, and three decision losses.
5. What are some of Luana Pinheiro’s notable UFC fight outcomes?
In her UFC tenure, she debuted with a disqualification win over Randa Markos after an illegal upkick. She scored a split decision victory against Michelle Waterson at UFC 287. More recently, she suffered TKO, submission and unanimous decision losses to Amanda Ribas, Angela Hill, Gillian Robertson and Tecia Pennington.
