LAS VEGAS – Amanda Ribas thinks she’s executed the whole lot proper to beat former champ Rose Namajunas in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 53 headliner.
Ribas (12-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) will look to safe the largest victory of her profession when she meets two-time strawweight champion Namajunas (11-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in a five-round ladies’s flyweight major occasion on the UFC Apex (ESPN, ESPN+).
The Brazilian made her octagon debut in June 2019 with the dream of in the future being on the prime of the invoice on a UFC card. She’s skilled highs and lows since then, however now she lastly realizes one among her most important profession targets.
“Because the first time that I signed a UFC poster, I used to be imaging my face there,” Ribas advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “Yesterday I signed with my face, and for the reason that first day at camp I used to be like, ‘OK, the time is now. You’re doing the principle occasion. So let’s go.’
“I’m ready for all – to do 5 rounds, to the tip or the start. I’m coaching to do a struggle and do a very good battle for the followers to take pleasure in and say that is price being a major occasion.”
This is likely to be the perfect time for Ribas to cross paths with Namajunas. Her American foe has suffered back-to-back losses, together with her 125-pound debut in opposition to Manon Fiorot in September. Namajunas has by no means misplaced three fights in a row, so she is going to both rebound or fall to a newfound low.
Ribas, 30, isn’t taking a look at Namajunas, 31, as being in a compromised place, although, and received’t depend on vulnerabilities.
“I at all times put in my thoughts that I’ll battle the perfect Rose Namajunas ever,” Ribas mentioned. “I’m coaching for the perfect in her. If one thing comes not like this, I’m ready.”
Ribas enters UFC on ESPN 53 in a uncommon place amongst fighters on the roster. In accordance with the promotion’s official rankings, she’s No. 8 within the ladies’s flyweight division and No. 7 at strawweight. She’s bounced between weight lessons when the alternatives have made sense, and can proceed with that strategy transferring ahead.
“I actually loved final yr the place I did three fights,” Ribas mentioned. “I hope I can do three fights this yr, too, contained in the octagon, and I hope if I win, God will bless me with that, I can do a prime 5 and possibly go to the belt.”
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