Amanda Ribas is excited to be back on Fight Island as she looks to right a wrong on Saturday night at UFC 267.
The last time Ribas fought, she was on Fight Island as she opened the stacked UFC 257 pay-per-view card, which saw Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have their rematch in the main event. The Brazilain was facing Marina Rodriguez and in the first round, she had a ton of success. Yet, in the second round, Rodriguez began piecing Ribas up and eventually scored a vicious knockout win.
Now, ahead of her return on Fight Island against Virna Jandiroba at UFC 267, Ribas is excited and motivated to be back.
“I think this time I will be more motivated,” Ribas said at media day. “I want to fight. In all my interviews I’m saying that, because last time I did all my camp, all my weight cut, and then didn’t fight. Now I want to fight. I think my eyes are different because I know now I have more fire in the eyes… “For sure I am more motivated, I am more focused, and I want to fight again. That loss made me feel a feeling that I don’t like.”
Ribas is still a fan-favorite and is the 10th-ranked strawweight, Jandiroba, meanwhile, is ranked 12th. Both women are also great grapplers. however, Ribas believes her well-rounded skillset will be the difference in the fight.
“I think my jiu-jitsu is for MMA, and now I can tell you I’m not just a muay Thai fighter, not just judo fighter, not just jiu-jitsu fighter,” Ribas said. “I am MMA fighter. MMA fighter is in my blood.”
If Amanda Ribas gets her hand raised on Saturday night, it’s likely the Brazilian will get a big fight next time out. She is a big-name in the division and does have a win over Mackenzie Dern which proves she can hang with the best.
