Amanda Ribas is set for surgery in Brazil after a knockout loss to Tabatha Ricci at UFC Abu Dhabi displaced a metal plate in her face, with Ricci expressing concern and hoping for Ribas’s swift recovery.
Amanda Ribas is set for surgery following her knockout loss at UFC Abu Dhabi. Tabatha Ricci, her opponent and fellow Brazilian, expressed concern for Ribas.
Ricci landed a brutal elbow in the second round of their strawweight bout. This strike dislodged a metal plate from a previous injury Ribas sustained in 2023 against Maycee Barber. At the time, Ricci didn’t realize the severity of the situation.
“I was worried about Amanda’s eye, but she’s fine now and will have surgery in Brazil,” Ricci shared with MMA Fighting. She’s relieved Ribas will receive proper care.
Initially, the medical team in Abu Dhabi planned immediate surgery, but later decided to send Ribas back to Brazil. Ricci admitted she didn’t notice the fracture during the fight.
“When I hit her, I didn’t know it landed on her eye,” Ricci explained. “She got soft, and I thought, ‘I’ll take her down.’ It was only later I realized the impact.”
Backstage at the Etihad Arena, Ribas seemed in good spirits despite her injury. “She had her eye covered but was in good energy,” Ricci noted. “Amanda’s a great athlete and person. This sport’s risky.”
Ricci aimed for a decisive win to bounce back from her loss to Yan Xiaonan. She credits that defeat for her growth as a fighter.
“Facing Yan was a huge experience,” Ricci said. “Losing to a top contender and learning from it was invaluable. Fighting Amanda was crucial for me.”
With her victory, Ricci climbed to No. 7 in the UFC rankings. She’s eager to continue her ascent.
“Mackenzie Dern just fought Amanda, but there are other options,” Ricci mentioned. “Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez is coming up. I’d love a rematch with Loopy; it was a close fight.”
In the unpredictable world of MMA, every fight is a chance for redemption and growth.