Tabatha Ricci scored her biggest UFC win by stopping Amanda Ribas with a TKO at UFC Abu Dhabi. The strawweight prelim fight happened at Etihad Arena on July 26, 2025. Tabatha Ricci’s elbow finish showed her power, earning her the nickname “Baby Shark” for her small size and fierce style, inspired by the viral kids’ song. The event aired on ESPN and ABC, with prelims at 12 p.m. ET and the main card at 3 p.m. ET.
Tabatha Ricci’s Elbow Secures TKO
Tabatha Ricci faced Amanda Ribas in a 115-pound bout on the prelim card. The first round was close, with Amanda Ribas using her size and grappling to lead early. Tabatha Ricci stayed tough, landing punches. In the second round, Tabatha Ricci landed a sharp elbow in the clinch, dropping Amanda Ribas at 2:59. She added punches, and the referee stopped the fight for a TKO.
The TKO was Tabatha Ricci’s first UFC stoppage win, coming after a loss to Yan Xiaonan. Amanda Ribas, a betting favorite, took her third straight loss. Tabatha Ricci’s performance showed she can beat top strawweights, living up to her “Baby Shark” nickname for her grit at 5 feet tall.
BABY SHARK DOES IT @TabathaRicci gets the TKO win and makes a STATEMENT at #UFCAbuDhabi!
[ #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/SkVnDUCj2P
— UFC (@ufc) July 26, 2025
Back in the win column in a BIG WAY @TabathaRicci delivered the TKO win at #UFCAbuDhabi!
[ #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/8jnsoznYOT
— UFC (@ufc) July 26, 2025
Tabatha Ricci got her nickname “Baby Shark” at Paragon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in California. Her coach gave her the name because she’s the smallest fighter there, often training with bigger opponents, yet fights with fierce determination. The nickname, inspired by the viral “Baby Shark” song, reflects her relentless style. Tabatha Ricci embraces it, bringing a stuffed shark to fights, though UFC rules block it in the cage.
Tabatha Ricci, a 30-year-old from Brazil, has a 12-3 MMA record. She started jiu-jitsu at age six, later adding judo and muay thai. Tabatha Ricci debuted in MMA in 2013, going 4-1 in promotions like LFA. She joined the UFC in 2021, losing her flyweight debut to Manon Fiorot by TKO on short notice. At strawweight, Tabatha Ricci went 5-1, beating Polyana Viana, Jessica Penne, and Tecia Pennington. She lost to Yan Xiaonan at UFC 309 in 2024. Tabatha Ricci, ranked No. 11 at strawweight, showed new striking power against Amanda Ribas.
Amanda Ribas, a 31-year-old from Brazil, has a 13-7 MMA record. She began jiu-jitsu at age four under her father, a martial arts coach. Amanda Ribas debuted in MMA in 2014, going 6-1 in promotions like Jungle Fight. She joined the UFC in 2019, starting 4-0 at strawweight with wins over Emily Whitmire and Mackenzie Dern. Amanda Ribas also fought at flyweight, beating Paige VanZant but losing to Katlyn Chookagian and Marina Rodriguez. Since 2021, Amanda Ribas went 3-5, losing to Rose Namajunas and Mackenzie Dern at UFC Vegas 101 in 2025. Amanda Ribas, ranked No. 8 at strawweight, struggled against Tabatha Ricci’s power.
Tabatha Ricci’s TKO shakes up the strawweight division. Her win over a ranked veteran like Amanda Ribas shows she’s ready for bigger fights. Amanda Ribas’s third straight loss could lower her rank, forcing a rebuild. The fight, part of UFC Abu Dhabi’s prelims, added to the event’s action, headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder,
Tabatha Ricci could face a top-10 strawweight like Angela Hill or Virna Jandiroba next. Amanda Ribas might fight a lower-ranked opponent to end her losing streak. Tabatha Ricci’s “Baby Shark” performance keeps her rising in the UFC.
