Amanda Ribas is returning to the strawweight division after two years, making a wild analogy for her stricter weight cut, and is looking to rebound from a TKO defeat as she faces Luana Pinheiro at UFC Vegas 82, with her eye on potential future matches in both the strawweight and flyweight divisions.
Amanda Ribas is making her return to the strawweight division after a two-year absence, with her next fight against Luana Pinheiro at UFC Vegas 82. Ribas previously competed as a flyweight but has now returned to strawweight. She humorously mentioned in an interview that she would definitely be “better fed” as a flyweight, emphasizing the difference in weight cut for the two divisions.
She also discussed the mental aspect of suffering during weight cuts, drawing an analogy to training dogs for dog fighting. Ribas suggested that the struggle of weight cutting makes athletes more focused and hungry to win. She expressed her belief that suffering during weight cuts can lead to a stronger competitive mentality, comparing it to a hungry pitbull ready to fight.
Looking ahead, Ribas discussed potential future opponents, mentioning matches with Yan Xiaonan or Carla Esparza if she is successful in her upcoming fight. Ribas also expressed openness to opportunities at flyweight, citing a potential fight with Katlyn Chookagian as an example. Despite her willingness to compete at flyweight, she stated that bantamweight is not feasible for her.
Ribas also spoke about her upcoming opponent, Luana Pinheiro, and her expectations for the fight. She believes that Pinheiro may try to stand and strike with her, but also anticipates that Pinheiro will likely try to take her down due to her background in judo. She expressed confidence in her ability to defeat Pinheiro and seek redemption after a previous TKO defeat to Maycee Barber.
Overall, Ribas is focused on her upcoming fight and determined to make a statement in the strawweight division. Her return to the division has sparked anticipation and excitement among fans as she looks to showcase her skills in the Octagon once again.