Strawweights Tabatha Ricci and Fatima Kline faced off on the UFC Oklahoma City main card on Saturday, with Ricci taking the place of Amanda Ribas.
Given Ricci had stepped into the fight about a month out, it wasn’t super short notice, but it was an upgrade for Kline, given Ricci’s #8 ranking was higher than Ribas.
Kline had the height and reach advantage in the fight, and worked from the outside early, using her jab and showing some impressive speed. Ricci did punch her way in to close the distance, but quickly bailed when Kline defended her first takedown attempt.
When Ricci did secure a takedown, care of a trip at center, Kline quickly reversed, getting in control. Ricci was able to scramble to the fence and work her way up, getting her hands going again, but with a minute left in the opening frame Fatima Kline landed another takedown, getting a hook in, peppering her opponent with punches and likely securing the first five minutes in terms of the scorecards.
Round two saw Ricci grab a Kline kick about a minute in, looking to take the fight down. Instead, she was reversed, with Kline taking her back along the fence. Ricci would eventually escape, but she was soon at risk of letting the round slip away. With that in mind, “Baby Shark” seemed to turn up the heat in the final two minutes, firing off punches in bunches, plus a high kick. Kline, meanwhile, missed a head kick of her own. The pair would clinch up in the final minute, Kline controlling Ricci against the fence and landing another key takedown, eventually getting back control with a single hook in.
Ricci more than likely needed to find a finish in the third round, but it was Kline coming out and landing hard early. Ricci was right there, answering back, but Kline ducked under and landed one highlight reel suplex, then another. Suplex city from Fatima Kline. Demoralizing for Ricci. The pair would go back to the feet, where things were a little more even.
In the final minute, Ricci landed an easy takedown, with Kline basically accepting it. Too little, too late however, and Kline scrambled free soon enough anyway.
Official Result: Fatima Kline def. Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
