MACAU, CHINA – NOVEMBER 23: (R-L) Yan Xiaonan of China punches Tabatha Ricci of Brazil of their ladies’s strawweight battle through the UFC Struggle Night time occasion at Galaxy Enviornment on November 23, 2024 in Macau, China. (Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Brazil’s “Baby Shark,” Tabatha Ricci, took a strong step up in competitors at UFC Macau on Saturday, the place she appeared in a co-main occasion battle in opposition to Yan Xiaonan.
With Xiaonan coming off a title shot in opposition to fellow Chinese language star Zhang Weili, a win for Ricci might land her within the title dialog. Xiaonan, in the meantime, was trying to bounce again and begin one other climb to the highest.
Xiaonan began the battle by taking management of the middle of the cage and measuring her photographs. Within the lead-up to this battle, Tabatha Ricci was working along with her boyfriend Callum Walsh, and legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach. Xiaonan had full management on the ft within the first spherical.
Within the second spherical, Xiaonan began to let her fingers fly, briefly wobbling Ricci, however Ricci acquired a takedown that helped her clear the cobwebs. Each time Xiaonan sat on her strikes, she appeared to harm “Baby Shark.” Xiaonan was pulling away within the second spherical, with an apparent edge within the putting division.
With the third spherical underway, Ricci was unable to get in vary to strike, whereas Xiaonan was teeing off, and taking part in along with her meals somewhat bit. The lead was appreciable, and there was no controversy as soon as the scorecards arrived. A really slick efficiency from Xiaonan, proving that she is among the prime fighters within the UFC ladies’s strawweight division.
Official Consequence: Yan Xiaonan def. Tabatha Ricci by Unanimous Resolution (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
