Amanda Ribas calls for rescheduled matchup with Michelle Waterson next

Tasked with returning to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in her five-fight UFC run, fan favourite grappler, Amanda Ribas has sights set on attempting that feat against one-time scheduled foe, Michelle Waterson.

Originally slated to match up with the former Invicta FC atomweight champion at the promotion’s first pay-per-view event of the year, January’s UFC 257, Ribas instead met with compatriot, Marina Rodriguez in a main card opener after Waterson was forced to withdraw from the clash.

Dropping her first promotional loss, the 27-year-old was wobbled on the feet by Rodriguez — who wheeled away in celebration, before referee Herb Dean waved her back to action detailing how he had yet to stop the fight. Finding herself on the wrong end of another combination, Ribas was eventually stopped by Rodriguez at the second time of asking. The second round knockout loss marked the snapping of a five-fight winning run.

Returning to the strawweight limit of 115-pounds for the clash, Ribas seems to have sights fixed on an outing at the weight next — posting on her official Twitter account this afternoon, asking Waterson if she would be interested in rescheduling their shelved pairing.

Heyy @karatehottiemma ! What do you think of making our fight happen ?!
I think it would be very cool 🥰
let's go do this 🦾😊@danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @Alexdavismma @ufc @UFCBrasil @espnmma @ribasfight @ParrumpaATT pic.twitter.com/jOL9Qa1mDf
— Amanda Ribas (@amandaribasufc) February 26, 2021

“Heyy @karatehottiemma! What do you think of making our fight happen?! I think it would be very cool, lets go do this. @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @Alexdavismma @ufc @UFCBrasil @espnmma @ribasfight @ParrumpaATT

As mentioned above, Ribas has featured five-times under the UFC’s banner — scoring a 4-1 record. Submitting Emily Whitmire in her debut with a second round rear-naked choke, Ribas then picked up high-profile unanimous decision wins over multiple time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, Mackenzie Dern and division mainstay, Randa Markos.

In a notable performance for the 27-year-old, she met with recent Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship feature, Paige VanZant — submitting the Oregon native with a timely opening round armbar before her loss to fellow Brazilian, Rodriguez.

Returning to winning-ways in a short-notice UFC Vegas 10 main event in September, Waterson rebounded from a contentious split decision loss to inaugural Invicta FC and UFC strawweight champion, Carla Esparza with a close unanimous decision win of her own over another former Invicta FC gold holder, Angela Hill.

Ross Markey

Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.