Amanda Ribas is set to headline her first UFC event against former champion Rose Namajunas at UFC Vegas 89, seeing it as an opportunity to elevate her status in the sport.
Amanda Ribas is stepping into the spotlight. This Saturday, she’s headlining a UFC event for the first time. She’s set to take on former champ Rose Namajunas at UFC Vegas 89. For Ribas, this is more than just a fight. It’s a chance to level up in the sport.
Ribas’ father and coach, Marcelo Ribas, is always on the grind. He’s constantly studying UFC rankings in both the strawweight and flyweight divisions. He’s even been known to send matchmakers ideas for future bouts. Namajunas was on his radar after Ribas’ knockout victory over Luana Pinheiro last November. And guess what? Ribas got the match she wanted.
“The UFC is packed with talent,” Ribas said during a recent interview on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast. “But if you’re proactive and suggest names for your next fight, it can make a difference.” Ribas is currently ranked in the top 15 of both divisions. When the opportunity to fight Rose came up, she didn’t hesitate. “I was like, ‘Let’s do this.’ I didn’t even ask about the weight class. I would’ve said yes to 115 or 125.”
The Ribas vs. Namajunas showdown is happening in the flyweight division. Namajunas isn’t currently ranked in this division. But that doesn’t bother Ribas. She’s pumped about facing an ex-champ who’s still considered one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in the UFC. It’s extra motivation for Saturday’s clash.
“My dad always says, ‘To be a legend, you have to beat a legend,'” Ribas shared. “I want to be a legend. And I’m ready for this.”
Namajunas has had a slower fight schedule in recent years. Since reclaiming the UFC title by defeating Weili Zhang, she’s only fought once a year. She lost decisions to Carla Esparza and Manon Fiorot in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Ribas is always laser-focused. She’s noticed that “Thug” Rose doesn’t seem to perform as well when she’s carrying an extra 10 pounds. “She’s got sharp striking and good boxing,” Ribas acknowledged. “But her speed and explosiveness, which were her strengths at strawweight, seemed to be missing in her last flyweight fight. That could be my chance to take control.”
Ribas doesn’t just study her opponents. She also works on her own game. “I’ve got good striking, but my background is in jiu-jitsu and judo,” she said. “I’ve been training even harder for this fight. My game is tighter than ever.”
Ribas has had a mixed record since her first UFC defeat in 2021. She’s hoping to break that pattern at UFC Vegas 89. If she wins and comes out of the fight injury-free, she’s aiming for a quick return to the ring on May 4. “I’ll be in Rio for UFC [301],” she said. “Even if I’m not fighting, I’ll be there. But if I’m healthy, I’d love to fight. That would be cool.”