Amanda Ribas has an important struggle within the UFC octagon Saturday when she meets Tabatha Ricci in an all-Brazilian strawweight conflict in Abu Dhabi, town the place she made a reputation for herself with a star-making efficiency over Paige VanZant in 2020.
Loads has modified since these early-pandemic instances, with Ribas going from 4-0 within the UFC to 3-5 in her subsequent eight appearances. The Varginha native gained two of three on Abu Dhabi soil, although, and says she’s mounted a number of holes in her sport to beat Ricci on July 26.
“I’m activating my first spherical higher as a result of I at all times go in there too gradual and apathetic, after which begin to develop,” Ribas instructed MMA Preventing. “I need to go there in rhythm and develop, not simply get there with a so-so rhythm after which develop. I believe that occurs as a result of I’m at all times finding out my opponent, you understand? I overthink. I’ll depart the overthinking half for the locker room and get to the octagon already in my 100%.”
Ribas has bounced between strawweight and flyweight over the previous few years, scoring victories over the likes of Virna Jandiroba and Viviane Araujo however dropping key matches towards Mackenzie Dern, Rose Namajunas, Katlyn Cerminara and Maycee Barber.
Ricci, her upcoming opponent, was using a win streak over Tecia Pennington and Angela Hill earlier than a choice defeat to Xiaonan Yan. Ribas’ head coach and father Marcelo Ribas broke down her complete profession on the lookout for tendencies and openings.
“She was very aggressive in her final struggle towards Yan Xiaonan,” Ribas mentioned. “That was an vital struggle for her, Yan was increased ranked, and she or he didn’t crumble underneath the strain. Her boxing has actually gotten higher, and I do know she’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu.
“I hope she comes to face and commerce as a result of I’m greater than her [laughs]. Will probably be arduous for her to search out the gap. She believes in her floor sport and I believe she is going to come to grapple, however she’s coaching boxing quite a bit together with her boyfriend [Callum Walsh] and perhaps she needs to try this — however I believe that may be higher for me.”
Ribas is aware of that every thing posted by MMA fighters on social media will be misleading. Ricci may share a fast video of her coaching routine meant to trick her to suppose one thing else, for instance. That mentioned, Ribas guarantees she’s prepared for each totally different state of affairs.
“I noticed she’s doing the identical takedown Virna and Mackenzie did towards me,” Ribas mentioned with amusing. “I’m coaching quite a bit with Alexia [Thainara], she’s doing a number of judo takedowns and floor work, so I’ll be prepared for all that.”
