Amanda Ribas will undergo surgery after a UFC loss to Tabatha Ricci due to a displaced metal plate from a previous injury, exacerbated by an elbow strike.
Amanda Ribas will need surgery following her UFC Abu Dhabi loss to Tabatha Ricci. A brutal elbow strike caused the damage.
In round two, Ribas went down after an elbow in the clinch. The referee halted the fight after a few more hits on July 26.
Hours later, Ribas shared that the elbow displaced a metal plate in her face. This plate was inserted after her loss to Maycee Barber in July 2023.
“I’ll have to undergo surgery again,” Ribas posted on Instagram. “The plate was a bit loose.”
She mentioned training with headaches, thinking it was nothing. The strike moved the plate, displacing the muscle, causing pressure.
Doctors gave mixed opinions, adding to her worry. “I was in so much pain, I couldn’t even speak Portuguese properly,” she said.
Despite the confusion, Ribas praised the hospital’s facilities. “It’s very fancy, everything is perfect, and I have no pain now.”
In good spirits, she updated fans, noting she’d wait for the swelling to subside before surgery. Sources confirm the procedure is set for Monday.
Ribas has faced a tough streak, losing three consecutive UFC fights. She’s now 7-6 in the UFC, with a 1-3 record since her first orbital fracture against Barber.