Tabatha Ricci

Tabatha Ricci is a 31-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC women's strawweight division, where she currently ranks #8 and is firmly in the conversation for a title shot. The "Baby Shark" earned her moniker through her methodical, predatory striking and grappling, but her nickname belies a fighter of genuine technical depth: a Judo black belt and two-time BJJ World Champion who has built a well-rounded game at the elite level.

Ricci's rise through the UFC has been steady and hard-won. After a tough debut loss to Manon Fiorot in June 2021, she has compiled a 10-3 record and won seven of her last ten, establishing herself as a legitimate strawweight contender. Her signature wins include an armbar submission over Jessica Penne (a former Invicta Strawweight Champion) at UFC 285, and a visceral second-round TKO knockout over Amanda Ribas in July 2025 using vicious elbow strikes. Those back-to-back finishes, plus decision victories over Gillian Robertson and Angela Hill, are the markers of a fighter ascending to the next tier. Recent losses to top-ranked opponents Yan Xiaonan and Virna Jandiroba (the latter a three-round decision in a co-main event) have only clarified her standing: Ricci belongs in the elite conversation and is on the cusp of a title shot.

What sets Ricci apart is her balanced skill set. She lands 4 significant strikes per minute while absorbing only 2.8, and her 58% striking defense reflects a technical approach. She is not a high-volume takedown artist (5 landed on 64 attempts), but she hunts submissions when the position opens up and is unafraid to engage on the mat against fellow grapplers. Her 3 wins by armbar showcase her submission acumen; her 2 KO victories prove she can finish on the feet. In interviews, she frames every fight as the most important of her career and speaks respectfully about grappling and her opponents, winning fans for her intelligence and humility. With a scheduled bout against Fatima Kline in July 2026, Ricci has the momentum, the wins, and the clear path to the strawweight title picture.