MMA Match Preview: Amanda Ribas (7-6) vs. Tabatha Ricci (7-3)

In a high-stakes clash between two ranked Brazilian strawweights, Tabatha “Baby Shark” Ricci delivered a career-defining performance by finishing Amanda Ribas via TKO in Round 2 at UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs. De Ridder, held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Tale of the Tape

Attribute	Amanda Ribas	Tabatha Ricci
Age	31	30
Height	5′4″	5′1″
Reach	66″	61″
Record (MMA)	12-7-0	12-3-0
UFC Record	7-6	7-3
Style	Kickboxing/BJJ	Judo/Wrestling
UFC Ranking (Pre-fight)	#7	#10

Fight Breakdown

Round 1: Both fighters exchanged quick punches and clinch work. Ribas landed a few clean strikes and attempted trips, while Ricci pressured with takedown feints and clinch control.

Round 2: Ricci turned up the aggression, landing a vicious elbow in the clinch that visibly damaged Ribas. She followed up with a takedown and a flurry of ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:59 of Round 2.

Ricci’s finish marked her first UFC win by strikes, showcasing her evolution from a grappling-heavy fighter to a well-rounded threat.

Performance Highlights

Fighter	Significant Strikes	Knockdowns	Takedowns	Control Time
Ricci	48	1	2	2:15
Ribas	27	0	1	0:45

Ricci’s clinch elbow was the turning point, landing flush and swelling Ribas’ eye.

Ribas showed toughness but was overwhelmed by Ricci’s pressure and precision.

What’s Next?

Tabatha Ricci: With this win, Ricci re-enters the top-10 conversation and could be matched against a top-5 contender like Marina Rodriguez or Virna Jandiroba.

Amanda Ribas: Now on a three-fight losing streak, Ribas may need to regroup, possibly outside the top-10, or consider a move back to flyweight.