LAS VEGAS – Amanda Ribas sees some big options in play for her career if she defeats Mackenzie Dern in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 249 headliner.
Ribas (12-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) is set to rematch Dern (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in Saturday’s strawweight headliner at the UFC Apex (ESPN+), and the Brazilian views the matchup as having title implications in the weight class.
With champion Zhang Weili booked to defend against unbeaten Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 on Feb. 8 in Sydney, there is no clear contender. Virna Jandiroba has a solid winning streak, but Ribas is quick to point out that both she and Dern hold wins over her.
“I know this fight is really important because we both won against Virna and she’s No. 3 (in the UFC rankings),” Ribas told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “So we know how huge and important this fight is because I think if I win, if God blesses me with the win, I can go to the top.
“I believe on that because I’m coming from two wins in the strawweight division, and we both fight against Virna and she is No. 3. Maybe if I win, with a good win, I can go to be (backup fighter) for the belt, or maybe fight against Virna again.”
Ribas, 31, hasn’t seen action since a main event loss to Rose Namajunas in March. That fight took place at women’s flyweight, and afterward Ribas took a self-imposed hiatus to refresh herself physically and mentally, making her “more dangerous.”
Now back at 115 pounds where she is 5-1 under the UFC banner, Ribas is focused on getting her first crack at gold, and she thinks the way Weili vs. Suarez plays out will direct her path.
“I think to move the category, Zhang Weili, if she wins, I’m here,” Ribas said. “No rematches. There is other girls. I think (Virna) needs to wait for the winner of this fight (to get a title shot), because we both deserve that, too.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 249.
