Strawweight Amanda Ribas has big plans for her career this year, starting with her UFC 257 Marina Rodriguez fight
Strawweight prospect Amanda Ribas plans to be a prolific athlete in 2021.
Just one day shy of her first bout of the year, a main card contest against striker Marina Rodriguez at UFC 257, the Brazlian jiu-jitsu and judo blackbelt expects an impressive win to catapult her into title contention.
In an interview with Ag Fight, Ribas explained her intentions to fight four times this year, which could include a title fight or a move to the flyweight division. In her opinion, it all depends on how the battle against Rodriguez goes down.
“I think it all depends on how this fight against Marina ends. Some websites were saying Carla Esparza was already close to a title fight. So if Marina is in the position to fight her (Carla). It all depends on the result of this fight. How can I convince the fans to want me to fight for a title. Dana White, too. It all depends on the result of this fight.”
“Looking at my list of professional goals, I do want to fight for the title by the end of the year.” she continued. “I want to have about four fights this year. Not only at strawweight, but at flyweight, too. I think it’s good for me.
Still undefeated in the UFC, Amanda Ribas (10-1) rides a four-fight winning streak in the Octagon. So far, the 27-year-old scored wins over Emily Whitmire, Mackenzie Dern, Randa Markos and Paige VanZant. Her sole loss happened in November 2015, when got knocked out by Polyana Viana at Jungle Fight 83.
Now, Amanda Ribas is expected to take on Marina Rodriguez at UFC 257, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on January 22. The card is scheduled to be headlined by a lightweight rematch between former double champion Conor McGregor and ex-interim title-holder Dustin Poirier.