Luana Pinheiro Calls Downward Elbows Disrespectful
Luana Pinheiro criticized Gillian Robertson’s use of downward elbows during their November 9, 2024 bout at UFC Vegas 100, describing the strikes as disrespectful and saying they caused significant pain. At the time, Nevada had permitted the recently revised rules for the event. The available reports do not establish that the strikes were ruled illegal or that Robertson was disciplined. MMA Mania reported Pinheiro’s account.
What Happened at UFC Vegas 100
Robertson faced Pinheiro in a three-round strawweight bout on the November 9, 2024 card in Las Vegas. Robertson won by unanimous decision. During a grappling exchange, she used downward 12-6 elbows to Pinheiro’s lower body. The strike direction had become permissible under the revised rules, which the Nevada commission allowed for this event. The official UFC scorecards confirm the result; MMA Mania covered the newly permitted elbow use on the card.
Pinheiro’s Account
In an interview published several weeks later, Pinheiro said the elbows struck her in a sensitive area and described ongoing pain. She also alleged Robertson repeated a strike after the round-ending horn and said she viewed the action as disrespectful. Those are Pinheiro’s account and opinion; they do not establish Robertson’s intent or a formal rule violation. MMA Mania’s interview report attributes these claims to Pinheiro.
The key distinction is that the 12-6 motion itself was no longer automatically a foul under the revised rules used for this event. Other rules still prohibit attacks after the bell and strikes to certain areas, including the spine. The available coverage does not report a referee or commission ruling that Robertson committed either foul in this exchange.
A Rule Change in Context
The Association of Boxing Commissions removed the ban on 12-6 elbows from the Unified Rules in 2024, with the revised text taking effect November 1. Athletic commissions adopt rules for events in their jurisdictions, so the applicable rules can vary by location. The bout helped draw attention to the new rule, but a fighter’s complaint about pain or sportsmanship should be distinguished from an official finding of a foul. The ABC’s revised rule text sets out the change.
Sources: UFC Vegas 100 results; MMA Mania report quoting Pinheiro’s interview; ABC Unified Rules of MMA, July 2024 revision.
