Following a quick submission (arm-bar) win over Paige VanZant at UFC 251 on Saturday, Amanda Ribas was equally quick to tell Jon Anik that she was headed back to strawweight.
The upbeat Brazilian has historically fought at strawweight, where she had racked up three straight wins inside the octagon. But a shot at the global star VanZant, at the biggest card of the year, and on the debut of Fight Island, convinced the Brazilian to move up to flyweight.
It was a one-off, however. Back down she’d go. Just never say never.
Speaking to Cageside Press in a virtual post-fight press scrum, Ribas (10-1) revealed that yes, there is a fight that would keep her among the flyweight ranks.
“I think with someone ranked. Top fifteen or top ten, definitely I will [take it], if the UFC gets [it for] me,” Ribas stated.
The Brazilian is currently ranked 14th in the strawweight division, and does not appear in the UFC’s official rankings at flyweight.
Of course, that could all change following her submission of VanZant. While “12 Guage” was not a ranked fighter, she was coming off a win, and carries a rather high profile. That, plus to quick nature of the win, will likely give Ribas a boost.
Speaking of the finish, it wasn’t exactly what Amanda Ribas herself was expecting.
“It was a surprise to get it in the first round, and with [an] arm-bar,” Ribas admitted following the fight. Despite VanZant’s history of arm surgeries, Ribas hadn’t planned on going that route. Especially since, as she pointed out, “she broke her arm in her last fight, and she didn’t tap.”
Instead, Ribas’ plan “was to get the neck.” That clearly didn’t happen — but she picked up her fourth straight UFC win nonetheless.
Watch the full UFC 251 virtual post-fight press scrum with Amanda Ribas above.
