Amanda Ribas has been given a new opponent for her next fight at UFC 257 on January 23rd at Fight Island, Abu Dhabi after Michelle Waterson withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons.
Ribas is a rising star in the women’s strawweight division, having compiled a four-fight winning streak since joining the UFC in July of last year.
She started with a submission win over Emily Whitmore, then handed jiu-jitsu ace Mackenzie Dern her first career loss by decision and followed it up with another win on the scorecards against Randa Markos.
Last time out she got the better of Paige VanZant at flyweight, submitting her in less than half a round to raise the 27-year-old’s stock to a new level.
A fight with Waterson would have been another big opportunity for Ribas, but instead she gets a less high-profile opponent in Rodriguez, but nonetheless one who is currently ranked one place above her at No.8 on the strawweight ladder.
Despite that, the 33-year-old Rodriguez has two recent blemishes on her record, having fought to a majority draw against Cynthia Calvillo, followed by losing out my split decision against Carla Esparza.
That leaves Rodriguez with only a 2-1-2 record in the UFC so far, although to be fair to her, she’s been facing a continually high level of opposition throughout her Octagon run.
Ribas vs. Rodriguez takes place on a UFC 257 card that will be headlined by Conor McGregor’s return to action in a rematch with Dustin Poirier.
