While many claim that the UFC has struggled to produce new stars, they may have found one in Amanda Ribas.
Ribas opened the UFC 251 main card earlier this month and introduced Paige VanZant in the first round of the flyweight showdown. Since victory, the prominent American Top Team team has received VIP treatment for the following two events, including the UFC Fight Island 2 card on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi.
On Wednesday night, Ribas received attention at the UFC on the ESPN 13 broadcast, as well as on the Twitter page of UFC President Dana White, as he asked fans to give their suggestions on who should receive subsequent bonuses. to the fight.
After Saturday night’s event on Yas Island, White spoke to reporters behind the scenes and was asked about the status of Ribas’ new popularity.
“It’s huge,” said White. “Overnight, he gained 100,000 followers on social media. Everyone was talking about her. You couldn’t perform better than her: in the fight, in the interview and just doing the things you should do when you’re in that position. So we put it on the main card.
Ribas has won his last five fights, four of which took place in the UFC. The 26-year-old octagon’s resume also includes a submission victory over Emily Whitmire, as well as dominant decision wins over Mackenzie Dern and Randa Markos.
As for White waiting for the strawweight contender to return, he will meet the matchmakers once business resumes in Las Vegas. But he plans on his back in the octagon for the next few months.
“She wants to fight again in the fall,” White explained. “We will get home, work it out, and see her again soon.”
After his victory over VanZant, Ribas called the winner of the next top 10 matchup between Carla Esparza and Marina Rodríguez, which will take place on July 25.
White isn’t against the call, but he didn’t seem like he was ready to pull the trigger on the idea right now.
“That’s a huge leap,” said White. “She’s good. I mean, she walked through Paige with ease. Normally, we’ll go back to the office, go into the room, and start discussing what we think is next for her, and what’s right for her.
“But maybe. Maybe.”
