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Preview: UFC Abu Dhabi Prelims

Ribas vs. Ricci

Strawweights

Amanda Ribas (12-6, 7-5 UFC) vs. Tabatha Ricci (11-3, 6-3 UFC)

Odds: Ribas (-165); Ricci (+130)

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Ribas remains in the strawweight division for a second straight fight—a good decision, if past performance is any indication. Her 7-5 Octagon tally is weighed down by a 2-3 mark at flyweight, but she is 5-2 at 115 pounds, the same weight at which she won a belt in Jungle Fight.

Despite having perhaps the most adorably chipper demeanor in the entire UFC, Ribas is actually a bit of a meanie in the cage and is at her best when she is the bigger, more physical fighter. Specifically, she thrives when she is the better wrestler and can determine where the action takes place. This was evident six years ago when she handed Mackenzie Dern her first career loss, exposing Dern’s clumsy striking and showing that the ground could be survivable as long as Dern’s foe was in control of when, where, and how the fight went there.

Ribas has taken a lot of damage over the years and is beginning to show some signs of slipping. That is concerning against Ricci, who despite only being a year and four fights behind her countrywoman, seems like the much younger fighter. Like Ribas, Ricci is at her best when she is the bully, but unlike Ribas, “Baby Shark” is a short, muscular, compact woman with plus athleticism.

Ricci is a willing and aggressive striker with decent power, but has some defensive flaws and can get stuck on the outside against taller women with good footwork. She likes punching her way into range, where she can get her hands on her opponent and hit them from the clinch while looking for an opportunity to drag things to the canvas, where she delivers good ground-and-pound while looking out for submission opportunities.

That game plan plays into Ribas’ strengths, however, as a big strawweight with excellent judo. There is always the possibility that the years and miles will tell on Ribas, but if she is even the same fighter who lost a rematch to Dern in January, it should be a frustrating night for Ricci, who will have success boxing against the slower Ribas, but struggle to stay out of the clinch. The pick is Ribas by decision.



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