LAS VEGAS – Tabatha Ricci is keen to solidify her place as a strawweight contender with a win over Virna Jandiroba in the UFC Fight Night 272 co-main occasion.
Ricci (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) will look to secure the largest victory of her profession Saturday at the Meta APEX (Paramount+) when she takes on Jandiroba (22-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who is coming off a loss to 115-pound champion Mackenzie Dern in a vacant title battle at UFC 321 in October.
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It would be a huge assertion for Ricci to get her hand raised, and she desires to do it in spectacular fashion.
“Yeah, that’s what I want,” Ricci informed MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 272 media day. “I’m going to go as vicious as I can, try to give my best performance of the night, and get my challenge for the belt.”
Ricci, No. 9 in the newest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie strawweight rankings, admits she would take a back seat to a title shot with a win over No. 3-ranked Jandiroba, only if former champ Zhang Weili returns to the division to problem Dern.
The 31-year-old, who is coming off a TKO end of Amanda Ribas in July, likes her place, and is keen to put in the work to depart no doubt she’s deserving of an alternative at gold.
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“Yeah, any fight, any time. Whatever takes me close to my goals, I’ll be willing to do it.”
This article initially appeared on MMA Junkie: Tabatha Ricci desires Mackenzie Dern title battle with UFC Vegas 115 win
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