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#10 Women's Strawweight Division

Active

"Baby Shark"

Tabatha Ricci

Women's Strawweight Division

11-3-0 (W-L-D)

1

Wins by Knockout

3

Wins by Submission

2

First Round Finishes

Tabatha Ricci

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Tabatha Ricci's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Active
Place of Birth
State of São Paulo, Brazil
Fighting style
Judo
Age
29
Height
61.00
Weight
115.50
Octagon Debut
Jun. 5, 2021
Reach
61.00
Leg reach
36.00
  • Pro since 2013
     
  • One win by KO, three by submission (3 armbar)
     
  • Two first-round finishes
     
  • Has won six of her last eight
     
  • Inactive in MMA from late-2014 to September 2020 – 7-2 since her return
     
  • Origin of nickname: “Brazilian Baby Shark”

UFC Fight Night (11/23/24) Ricci lost a three round unanimous decision to Yan Xiaonan

UFC on ESPN (8/24/24) Ricci won a three round unanimous decision over Angela Hill

UFC on ESPN (5/11/24) Ricci won a three round split decision over Tecia Pennington 

UFC 295 (11/11/23) Ricci lost a three round split decision to Loopy Godinez 

UFC on ABC (6/24/23) Ricci won a three round unanimous decision over Gillian Robertson

UFC 285 (3/4/23) Ricci submitted Jessica Penne via armbar at 2:14 of the second round

UFC Fight Night (5/21/22) Ricci won a three round unanimous decision over Polyana Viana

UFC Fight Night (10/23/21) Ricci won a three round unanimous decision over Maria Oliveira

UFC Fight Night (6/5/21) Ricci was stopped by Manon Fiorot via strikes at 3:00 of the second round

When and why did you start training for fighting? My dad is a Judoka and he’s the one who introduced me to this world. At the age of six years old I started in Judo. Later, at 15 years old, I got into Muay Thai, and at 17 I got into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. My first MMA fight was at 18 years old. I've always challenged myself and I love the feeling of being capable to get to places I never thought I could. The adrenaline is what makes me hungry for more every time.

Training: I wake up early and train wrestling in Ventura, California. Then I go to MMA and Muay Thai sparring at Black House MMA (Gardena, California). Then I go to boxing at Knuckleheadz and Strength & Conditioning at ALX. Then I end my day by training and teaching BJJ at Paragon BJJ (Ventura, California).

What ranks and titles have you held? Judo black belt, Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Muay Thai Kruang black tip. 
BJJ: 2 World Titles, 1 in Brazil as a blue belt and the other one as a purple belt in California NO GI. 2nd place in the world's Gi and NO GI as a brown belt. SEIZA (MMA WITH RULES): I had 7 fights and won 6 of them in Japan. MUAY THAI: I won the Brazilian Nationals (Amateur). 

Do you have any heroes? My Dad. Carlos Salto (Trovao) 

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything to me! I’ve worked my whole life to get to this point, I am so grateful and exited to be here and get to show my work.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Graduated Physical Education in Brazil.

What was your job before you started fighting? I’ve done some Judo teaching when I was younger and now I’m a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Paragon Academy in Ventura. 

Favorite grappling technique: I love everything about it 

Favorite Striking technique: Right hook