Tabatha Ricci knocked out Amanda ribas No. UFC Abu Dhabi (Photo: Twitter UFC News)
Tabatha Ricci broke his silence after the devastating knockout of Amanda ribas last Saturday (26), during the card of UFC Abu DhabiIn an interview with 'MMA Fighting', the 'Baby Shark' expressed concern for her compatriot and revealed that she only found out about the severity of the injury after the fight ended.
"I was worried about Amanda, about what happened to her eye, but I know she's fine now and will have surgery in Brazil. I'm happy she'll have a good recovery and be well cared for," said Ricci.
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The fight ended dramatically in the second round, after an elbow strike from Tabatha landed squarely in Amanda's orbital region. The sequence resulted in a technical knockout, but the impact had even more serious consequences: the displacement of a metal plate that had already been installed in the fighter's face after her loss to Maycee barberIn 2023.
"I didn't know it was a fracture, and such a serious one. In fact, I didn't even realize the elbow had hit her eye because my head was under her chin while I was throwing the punch. She suddenly went limp and started to fall. I thought, 'That's it.' But I didn't know it was in the eye. Then I went for the fall, and I saw her covering her face. That's when I started punching again," he concluded.
Amanda Ribas' surgery and worrying history
the situation of Amanda ribas goes beyond what was seen in the octagon. According to the athlete's coach and father, Marcelo Ribas, the titanium plate hit by Ricci had already dislodged in the victory against Luana pinheiro, in November 2023. Since then, the Minas Gerais native has been experiencing severe symptoms, such as fainting, severe pain and even seizures – with no precise diagnosis until now.
"Thank God we discovered what was causing the pain, fainting, and seizures since the fight with Luana. She had barely been able to train since that fight. We ran several tests, but no one could find the cause. We even thought it was psychological. But that blow was, in a way, a blessing because it showed us what was wrong," Marcelo told MMA Fighting.
Amanda is in São Paulo undergoing tests at Albert Einstein Hospital. Surgery to reposition or replace the plate is scheduled for next Saturday (3).
At 31, Ribas is considered one of the most charismatic figures in Brazilian MMA. A professional since 2014, she has a record of 12 wins and seven losses, with notable stints in various weight classes and fights against UFC heavyweights.
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