Amanda Ribas sits pretty sweet in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) two-division official ranking.
Ribas, the ninth-ranked flyweight contender, earned a massive unanimous decision victory over division stalwart, Vivian Araujo, at UFC 285 this past March 2023. He first won at 125 pounds, but it’s been since Paige VanZant was introduced in the first round in July 2020.
Now, Ribas is on the verge of returning to a winning streak – the latest ending with a VanZant victory. A win over Maycee Barber at UFC Jacksonville this weekend (Saturday, June 24, 2023) could be just what the doctor ordered for his future title hopes.
“It depends on how this fight goes,” Ribas said. MMA mania For what he does win. “Like, if it’s a boring fight, it’s no good (laughs). So, I really hope we have a good fight, an exciting fight. My arms are to the top, and if the fight goes like that, sure, I can go to the top 5.”
Ribas’ debut in the Flyweight division came as somewhat of a surprise at the time. As a rising prospect, Ribas ignited her moment for four straight wins at Strewit. Three of those wins have come in the UFC, making her comfortable in the weight class mix.
Ribas’ immediate weight back came on the heels of a 125-pound debut and unfortunately for her, it was a major learning lesson by losing a second-round knockout to Marina Rodriguez. One year later and a landmark Virna Jandiroba win later, Ribas is back in the winners circle at Strawweight. While she was about to fight at 125 pounds three times in a row on Saturday, the door wasn’t closed on any prospects in the South.
“I never quit hay weight definitively [division]But I think I’ll get the chances,” Ribas said. “The UFC makes me really good fights in Flyweight so I’m ready. And in Flyweight I can accept a fight in two weeks [notice] Because I naturally train constantly. Straw weight, I need more time to fight the battle. The UFC offered me, “Oh, do you want to fight today at Flyweight?” I? OK. So, I’m fighting all the battles, thank God I’m doing well and that’s it.
“Hopefully this year I can compete in the Strawweight division as well,” she concluded. “Maybe one fight. I’m here! I need to fight, I’m a fighter, let’s go.”
Remember that MMAmania.com It will provide comprehensive, blow-by-blow live coverage of the entire UFC Jacksonville fight card herestarting with ESPN /ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are set to start at 11:30 a.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ABC (also on ESPN+) 3 p.m. ET.
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