Luana Pinheiro Becomes First Female UFC Fighter To Be Paid Entirely In Bitcoin

Many believe that cryptocurrency is the future of blockchains and money payment systems. Now, many MMA fighters have also plunged into the digital currency world, following the path of their peers who have benefited from it.

The emerging strawweight prodigy, Luana Pinheiro will become the first female UFC fighter to officially receive her fight purse entirely in Bitcoin. According to a press release from BitWage. Pinheiro’s boyfriend, Matheus Nicolau, who also happens to fight under UFC’s banner, is already a part of the crypto cash-out club.

Hailing from Minas Gerais, Brazil, Pinheiro is well-aware of the current dramatic crash in the cryptocurrency marketplace, but she is hopeful that this state won’t stay forever and one day, it will change her fortune.

“I do not think I will have a problem with Bitcoin going down or up,” Pinheiro said (via BitCoin Magazine). “If it was not volatile it would not go up either. Think about this: it takes on average 10-15 years for an individual to get a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, so my time preference here is equally long if not longer.”

The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist, Pinheiro (10-1) is so far undefeated inside the octagon. She scored an impressive knockout of Stephanie Frausto on Dana White’s “Contender Series” back in late 2020 to secure the UFC contract. The 28-year-old then had a splendid 2021, where she came out on top in both outings inside the octagon against Randa Markos and Sam Hughes respectively.

“Don’t forget that I am from Brazil, so I know a thing or two about inflation and its effects,” Pinheiro continued. “I was born around 1994, at that time Brazilian currency Real was introduced and pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar at that time. Now it is 5 BRL for 1 USD. What do we use Bitcoin again for?”

Pinheiro is currently undergoing rehab following an injury that she suffered back in April. She is keen to make a comeback and formally register her name as the first female fighter to gross the fight purse in Bitcoin.