Bangor native Emily Peters Kagan lost a unanimous decision to Angela Hill in their mutual official Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts debut in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Friday night.
The three-round bout was on the undercard of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 20 finale to crown the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight (115-pound) champion. Top-ranked Carla Esparza won that title, scoring a third-round submission victory via rear-naked choke over Rose Namajunas.
Peters Kagan and Hill also competed in the TUF series this fall, each being defeated in the first round of the 16-fighter tournament.
The taller Hill dominated the action against Peters Kagan, winning 30-26 on two judges’ scorecards and 30-27 on the third scorecard to improve her overall professional record to 2-0. Peters Kagan, who trains in Albuquerque, New Mexico, falls to 3-2.
Peters Kagan tried to take the match to the ground early, but Hill avoided her opponent’s takedown attempts and took control with her striking game, using her fists and knees effectively as a cut eventually developed over Peters Kagan’s right eye.
Hill continued a similar pattern in the second round, and it wasn’t until midway through the third round when Peters Kagan scored her first takedown — only to have Hill quickly get back to her feet.