HOUSTON – When Angela Hill thinks about her first meeting against Tecia Torres, she feels a level of disappointment.
The fight, which took place in June 2015 at UFC 188, was Hill’s third professional bout and her second with the UFC. She lost via unanimous decision.
“Don’t watch that fight,” Hill told MMA Junkie at a UFC 265 pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “It was the worst fight in UFC history. I hate that fight.”
The loss stings in Hill’s memory, but more so does the sound of the boos raining down from the fans in Mexico City. It’s one thing to lose, but to do so in lackluster fashion bugs Hill.
“I think the reason I have such a chip on my shoulder from it is because it was the first time I had ever gotten booed,” Hill said. “I pride myself with being an exciting fighter. Even when I lose, if it’s an exciting fight, I can find worth in that. Allowing Tecia to hold me down and make it a boring fight, I’m so mad at myself about that fight.”
Over the past six years, the promotion has tried to rebook Hill (13-9 MMA, 8-9 UFC) vs. Torres (12-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), but logistics and COVID-19 issues have interfered. At UFC 265 on Saturday, Hill and Torres will finally step into the cage against one another for the second time. Hill is ready to right the wrongs of years’ past.
“To be able to go back and work on things that I’ve worked really hard on, being the much better fighter on the ground, I feel like this is going to be a great fight to get that back,” Hill said. “It’ll take the weight off that loss. I’ll really show people that I’m really exciting no matter what fight.”
UFC 265 takes place Saturday at Toyota Center. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.