LAS VEGAS – Amanda Ribas sees some massive choices in play for her profession if she defeats Mackenzie Dern in Saturday’s UFC Struggle Night time 249 headliner.
Ribas (12-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) is about to rematch Dern (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in Saturday’s strawweight headliner on the UFC Apex (ESPN+), and the Brazilian views the matchup as having title implications within the weight class.
With champion Zhang Weili booked to defend towards unbeaten Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 on Feb. 8 in Sydney, there isn’t any clear contender. Virna Jandiroba has a stable profitable streak, however Ribas is fast to level out that each she and Dern maintain wins over her.
“I do know this combat is basically vital as a result of we each gained towards Virna and she or he’s No. 3 (within the UFC rankings),” Ribas advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “So we all know how enormous and vital this combat is as a result of I believe if I win, if God blesses me with the win, I can go to the highest.
“I imagine on that as a result of I’m coming from two wins within the strawweight division, and we each combat towards Virna and she or he is No. 3. Perhaps if I win, with an excellent win, I can go to be (backup fighter) for the belt, or perhaps combat towards Virna once more.”
Ribas, 31, hasn’t seen motion since a major occasion loss to Rose Namajunas in March. That combat occurred at ladies’s flyweight, and afterward Ribas took a self-imposed hiatus to refresh herself bodily and mentally, making her “extra harmful.”
Now again at 115 kilos the place she is 5-1 underneath the UFC banner, Ribas is targeted on getting her first crack at gold, and she or he thinks the best way Weili vs. Suarez performs out will direct her path.
“I believe to maneuver the class, Zhang Weili, if she wins, I’m right here,” Ribas mentioned. “No rematches. There may be different ladies. I believe (Virna) wants to attend for the winner of this combat (to get a title shot), as a result of we each deserve that, too.”
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