UFC strawweight Tabatha Ricci (11-2) has landed a co-main event slot for UFC Macau this Saturday, and while she didn’t get to train in Thailand as hoped ahead of her fight with Yan Xiaonan, she did do a bit of travel in advance.
“We went to Bali for a week to acclimate, before coming here. It was pretty fun,” Ricci said during an appearance as part of the UFC Macau Fight Week. Asked what she liked about Bali in particular, “the food,” she replied. “The food was so good.”
A co-main event spot is a big deal for “Baby Shark” (who was seen cradling a baby shark plushie on camera). “I think I earned this spot,” she exclaimed. “I’ve been fighting a lot, I’ve been fighting girls who have been in the UFC a long time. Some OGs from UFC. So I think I earned this spot, we are here for a reason, and I’m very excited for this opportunity.”
Ricci’s last two fights have seen her notch victories over Tecia Pennington and Angela Hill, two veterans of the strawweight division. Those wins helped boost the Brazilian’s confidence, for starters. “I think fighting those last two fights proved to myself that I’m ready for those big challenges. Fighting someone like Yan who just fought for the belt, that makes me more prepared and confident.”
Ricci finds herself in the co-main event slot having had a busy 2024. This Saturday marks her fourth fight in just over 12 months overall, and her third of the calendar year. The Brazilian is always training, she noted, and always ready to fight as a result. And so if a title opportunity comes her way, “getting the shot right now, at my age, I think it’s a good time,” Ricci believes.
Watch the full UFC Macau Fight Week video with Tabatha Ricci above.
