Tabatha Ricci delivered a stunning performance, knocking out Amanda Ribas in the second round at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates. In a thrilling Brazilian showdown in the strawweight division, Ricci, nicknamed “Baby Shark,” dominated with relentless grappling and sealed the victory with a precise elbow strike at 2:59, securing a technical knockout. The fight, part of the prelims, marked Ricci’s rebound from a prior loss, while Ribas now faces her worst career slump, with four losses in five fights. The clash highlighted the rivalry between the two top-10 strawweights, positioning Ricci closer to a ranking climb. The win solidifies her rise in the UFC and shakes up the 115-pound division.
The bout showcased technical brilliance and intensity, with Ricci excelling in grappling and Ribas attempting to leverage her striking. Broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, the event drew global attention, with a sold-out Etihad Arena witnessing Ribas’ first fight at the venue. Ricci’s victory not only cements her status but also raises questions about Ribas’ future in the organization.
- Fight highlights:
- Ricci neutralized Ribas’ striking with superior grappling.
- A precise elbow to Ribas’ eye was the turning point.
- Ground-and-pound sealed the TKO victory.
- Ricci eyes elite opponents like Angela Hill next.
- Ribas faces pressure after third straight loss.
Breakdown of the octagon battle
The fight opened with both fighters cautiously exchanging jabs, feeling out the range. Ribas, with a 66-inch reach compared to Ricci’s 61 inches, aimed to keep the fight standing, using jabs and low kicks to dictate the pace. However, Ricci, true to her style, closed the distance and pushed Ribas against the cage with grappling pressure. Ribas landed two impressive judo takedowns but failed to capitalize on the ground, allowing Ricci to regain control. The first round was competitive, with Ricci scoring with body knees and Ribas countering with strikes from range.
In the second round, Ricci turned up the heat. After an early striking exchange, she pinned Ribas against the cage again. With surgical precision, Ricci landed a short elbow to Ribas’ eye, causing visible damage. Ribas collapsed, and Ricci unleashed a flurry of ground-and-pound, prompting the referee to stop the fight. The TKO marked Ricci’s first knockout finish in the UFC, showcasing her growth in striking alongside her renowned jiu-jitsu and judo skills.
- Key second-round moments:
- Ricci dominated with cage control and grappling.
- The elbow strike caused immediate damage to Ribas.
- Ground-and-pound led to the TKO at 2:59.
- Ricci’s striking evolution was evident.
Fighter trajectories
Tabatha Ricci, 30, joined the UFC in 2021 and faced early challenges, including a TKO loss to Manon Fiorot in her flyweight debut. After dropping to strawweight, she built a strong run, defeating fighters like Polyana Viana, Jessica Penne, and Tecia Pennington. Her only recent setback was against Yan Xiaonan in November 2024, making the win over Ribas a critical milestone. With an 11-3 record, Ricci, ranked No. 10, is poised to climb the rankings and could face top names like Angela Hill or Virna Jandiroba.
Amanda Ribas, 31, has been a UFC staple since 2019, starting with a 4-0 run in strawweight, including wins over Emily Whitmire and Mackenzie Dern. Her stints at flyweight, where she beat Paige VanZant, were less consistent, with losses to top fighters like Rose Namajunas and Maycee Barber. Now with a 13-7 record and three consecutive losses, Ribas faces mounting pressure to rebound. Her versatility across two divisions remains an asset, but her recent skid demands a strategic reset.
- Fighter stats:
- Tabatha Ricci: 11 wins, 3 losses, 5-1 in UFC strawweight.
- Amanda Ribas: 13 wins, 7 losses, 7-5 in the UFC.
- Ricci: 4.18 significant strikes per minute.
- Ribas: 66-inch reach, 5 inches longer than Ricci.
- First Brazilian strawweight clash since 2021.
Impact on the strawweight rankings
Ricci’s victory shakes up the strawweight division, one of the UFC’s most stacked. Ribas, previously No. 7, may drop in the rankings, while Ricci, at No. 10, is likely to take a top-seven spot. Led by champions like Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez, the division is fiercely competitive, and Ricci’s win positions her as a rising contender. The fight also marked the return of all-Brazilian matchups in strawweight, unseen since 2021, adding a new chapter to Brazil’s UFC legacy.
Ricci’s performance showcased her ability to blend elite grappling with improving striking, making her a threat. Analysts suggest her next fight could be against Virna Jandiroba, another Brazilian in the top five, or Angela Hill, known for her durability. For Ribas, the loss complicates her path. With four losses in five fights, she may need to face a non-top-10 opponent like Jessica Penne to rebuild momentum.
- Potential next steps:
- Ricci could face Jandiroba or Hill in 2026.
- Ribas may target a non-top-10 opponent to rebound.
- Ricci’s win boosts her striking credibility.
- The strawweight division sees new momentum.
UFC Abu Dhabi in focus
UFC Abu Dhabi, also known as UFC on ABC 9, took place at the prestigious Etihad Arena, a global MMA hotspot. The event featured a stacked card, headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder in the middleweight division. Four Brazilians, including Ricci, Ribas, Vitor Petrino, and Tallison Teixeira, showcased Brazil’s prominence in MMA. Broadcast on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN, the event drew millions, with the arena sold out for the first time since the pandemic.
The Ricci-Ribas clash was a prelim standout, starting at 12 p.m. ET and streamed free on YouTube in select regions. The fight’s intensity sparked buzz online, with fans praising Ricci’s aggression and Ribas’ resilience despite the loss. The Etihad Arena’s electric atmosphere amplified the event’s global impact.
- Event highlights:
- Main event: Whittaker vs. De Ridder.
- Four Brazilians featured on the card.
- Global broadcast via UFC Fight Pass and ESPN.
- Sold-out Etihad Arena for Ribas’ debut there.
- Prelims streamed free on YouTube in some regions.
Brazilian rivalries in UFC history
The Ricci-Ribas fight revived the tradition of all-Brazilian clashes in the strawweight division, absent since 2021. Brazil’s UFC history is rich with iconic rivalries, like Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort and José Aldo vs. Renan Barão. Ricci and Ribas brought mutual respect but fierce competition, with Ribas unfollowing Ricci on Instagram to focus during fight week. Their clash added a new layer to Brazil’s storied MMA legacy.
Such rivalries often see friendships pause for competition, as seen when Ribas faced Luana Pinheiro, her former housemate. Post-fight, Brazilian fighters typically reconcile, and Ricci and Ribas are likely to follow suit. Ricci’s dominant win cements her as a rising star, while Ribas remains a fan favorite despite the setback.
- Notable Brazilian rivalries:
- Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC 126, 2011).
- José Aldo vs. Renan Barão (UFC 169, 2014).
- Amanda Ribas vs. Luana Pinheiro (UFC Vegas, 2021).
- Ricci vs. Ribas: first strawweight clash since 2021.
- Mutual respect defines Brazilian matchups.
Future for the fighters and division
Ricci’s win opens doors to high-profile matchups. Her blend of grappling and evolving striking makes her a contender for the top five. A fight against Virna Jandiroba or Angela Hill would test her readiness for title contention. Her “Baby Shark” nickname and fan appeal are set to grow, boosting her marketability.
Ribas, meanwhile, faces a crossroads. With a 7-5 UFC record and three straight losses, she may target a lower-ranked opponent like Gillian Robertson to regain momentum. Her experience across strawweight and flyweight keeps her relevant, but she must focus on one division to climb back. The strawweight division remains dynamic, with Ricci’s rise adding fresh intrigue.
- Future scenarios:
- Ricci could enter the top 5 with another win.
- Ribas needs a victory to halt ranking slide.
- Strawweight division stays highly competitive.
- Ricci’s “Baby Shark” persona gains traction.
- Ribas may consider returning to flyweight.