Tabatha Ricci is back in the UFC win column in a big way.
Former champions headline UFC Abu Dhabi this weekend as Robert Whittaker meets Reinier de Ridder in the main event. Petr Yan also returns against Marcus McGhee in the highly-anticipated co-main at bantamweight.
A couple of finishes took place on the undercard, with Steven Nguyen breaking the UFC knockdown record with a dominant TKO win over Mohammad Yahya.
‘Baby Shark’ Tabatha Ricci showed out for the ladies in the only women’s fight of the night.
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Tabatha Ricci elbows Amanda Ribas for brutal TKO at UFC Abu Dhabi
Top-10 contender Ricci faced off against fellow veteran Amanda Ribas in a strawweight matchup.
Ricci was coming off a loss to former title challenger Yan Xiaonan in her last fight at UFC Macau in November. Ricci returned to form at UFC Abu Dhabi, looking better than ever against Ribas.
In the second round, Ricci realized success when she elbowed the face of Ribas in the clinch. Ribas visibly reacted and Ricci’s corner called for more elbow strikes.
An elbow to the eye socket would do the trick for Ricci, as Ribas grimaced in pain and went down to the canvas, with Ricci unloading strikes for the TKO finish.
Tabatha Ricci is dating boxing champion Callum Walsh
Ricci isn’t the only fighter in her relationship.
Ricci is currently dating 24-year-old WBC Continental Americas super welterweight champion Callum Walsh, who’s undefeated in the ring at 14-0.
Walsh was in attendance for Ricci’s TKO win in Abu Dhabi.
The Irishman was seen wearing a shark hat to support his girlfriend, ‘Baby Shark’.