UFC Fight Night: Amanda Ribas vs Tabatha Ricci Preview & Prediction
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Amanda Ribas vs Tabatha Ricci: Strawweight stakes rise as both fighters look to rebound
Two talented Brazilian strawweights collide as Amanda Ribas takes on Tabatha Ricci in a match-up that could shape the next tier of contenders at 115lbs. With both fighters looking to rebound from recent losses, this bout carries high stakes for their standing in the division.
Amanda Ribas vs Tabatha Ricci facts
What time are Amanda Ribas and Tabatha Ricci expected to walk out?
Where is UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ABC 9
What TV channel is UFC on ABC 9 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+ (undercard) & ABC (main card)
Where can I stream UFC on ABC 9? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs de Ridder main card
Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight)
Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee (Bantamweight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Marc-Andre Barriault (Middleweight)
Asu Almabayev vs Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs de Ridder prelims
Bryce Mitchell vs Said Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight)
Muslim Salikhov vs Carlos Leal Miranda (Welterweight)
Davey Grant vs Da'Mon Blackshear (Bantamweight)
Amanda Ribas vs Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
Ibo Aslan vs Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight)
Mohammad Yahya vs Steven Nguyen (Featherweight)
Martin Buday vs Marcus Buchecha (Heavyweight)
Amanda Ribas: Energetic striker with patchy recent form
Amanda Ribas (12-6) started her UFC run with promise, going 4-0 and delivering standout wins — most notably a decision over Mackenzie Dern in 2019. Since then, consistency has been a struggle. The 31-year-old has alternated wins and losses, with her most recent defeat coming via submission to Dern in their rematch. Before that, she dropped a decision to former champion Rose Namajunas. Ribas is an active kickboxer with solid movement and decent volume, but she’s shown vulnerabilities in both her wrestling defence and ground game when matched against more physical grapplers. While her striking may edge Ricci's on paper, it’s rarely dominant enough to steal rounds clearly.
Tabatha Ricci: Compact grappler with a wrestling-first approach
Tabatha Ricci (11-3) has quietly built a strong resume at strawweight following a tough UFC debut loss against number 2 ranked flyweight contender Manon Fiorot. Since moving to her natural weight class, Ricci has gone 5-2, picking up key wins over Gillian Robertson, Tecia Pennington, and Angela Hill. Her recent decision loss came to another top contender in Yan Xiaonan. Ricci’s style is built around pressure wrestling, with heavy top control and positional awareness. While her striking is functional, she tends to rely on her physicality and grappling edge — which has held up well against everyone outside the elite few in the division.
Amanda Ribas vs Tabatha Ricci prediction
This is a stylistic match-up that favours Ricci. Ribas, while the cleaner striker, lacks the power or sharpness to keep Ricci at bay for long. Dern’s dominant grappling performance in Ribas’ last outing exposed some real vulnerabilities — and Ricci, though not as slick a submission artist, brings similar physical pressure.
Expect Ricci to close distance, secure takedowns, and control from top position. Unless Ribas can keep the fight standing for extended spells, this feels like Ricci’s fight to control.
Prediction: Tabatha Ricci to win by decision
