Tabatha Ricci

Last updated
Tabatha Ricci
BornTabatha Ricci Fabri Salto
(1995-02-21) February 21, 1995 (age 30)
Birigui, São Paulo, Brazil
Other namesBaby Shark
Height5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)
Weight115 lb (52 kg; 8 st 3 lb)
Division Strawweight
Reach61 in (155 cm) [1]
Fighting out of Ventura, California, U.S.
TeamParagon BJJ (2017–present) [2] [3]
Knuckleheadz Boxing [2] [3]
Kings MMA (formerly) [3]
Black House [3]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo Miller [4]
Black belt in Judo under Michihiro Omigawa [5]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins12
By knockout2
By submission3
By decision7
Losses3
By knockout1
By decision2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Tabatha Ricci Fabri Salto [6] (born February 21, 1995) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, currently competing in the women's Strawweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of July 29, 2025, she is #7 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings. [7]

Contents

Background

Ricci was born and raised in Birigui, Brazil. [2] She has an older sister. [8] Following her father's footsteps, Ricci started training Judo at the age of six and took up Muay Thai at the age of 15. [8] [3] She started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 17, at 18 started to train Boxing and had her first professional bout. [8] [3]

She moved to Japan in 2017 for a year to compete in SEIZA competitions, before moving to the US to focus on mixed martial arts. [9] [10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Right after turning eighteen, Ricci made her professional mixed martial arts debut. [8] Having difficulties in finding bouts after winning her first two bouts, Ricci eventually moved to Japan in 2017 to train various disciplines and compete in custom rules bouts. [8] [3] In late 2017 she moved to California in order to focus in her Brazilian jiu-jitsu. [8] In 2020 she signed a three-fight contract with Legacy Fighting Alliance [11] where she ultimately won all of her bouts, defeating Kelsey Arnesen at LFA 90 by the way of unanimous decision, [12] Vanessa Marie Grimes via first round armbar at LFA 98 [13] [14] and finally Shawna Ormsby at LFA 105 via TKO stoppage in the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Replacing withdrawn Maryna Moroz, Ricci made her promotional debut on 4 days notice against Manon Fiorot on June 5, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai. [15] Ricci lost the bout via standing TKO in the second round. [16]

Following her debut returned back to strawweight division and made her sophomore appearance in the organization against Maria Oliveira at UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori on October 23, 2021. She won the fight via unanimous decision. [17]

Ricci faced Polyana Viana on May 21, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira. [18] She won the fight via unanimous decision. [19]

Ricci was scheduled to face Cheyanne Vlismas on October 1, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 211. [20] Vlismas pulled out in late August for personal reasons and was replaced by former UFC Women's Strawweight Championship challenger and inaugural Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Jessica Penne, [21] however the fight was cancelled due to an illness with Penne on the day of the weigh in's. [22]

Ricci faced Jessica Penne on March 4, 2023, at UFC 285. [23] She won the fight via an armbar in the second round. [24]

Ricci faced Gillian Robertson on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. [25] She won the bout via unanimous decision. [26]

Ricci faced Loopy Godinez on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. [27] She lost the close bout via split decision. [28]

Ricci faced Tecia Pennington on May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56. [29] She won the fight by split decision. [30]

Ricci faced former Invicta Fighting Strawweight Champion Angela Hill on August 24, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 62. [31] She won the fight by unanimous decision. [32]

Ricci faced Yan Xiaonan on November 23, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 248. [33] She lost the fight by unanimous decision. [34]

Ricci was scheduled to face Amanda Ribas on July 19, 2025 at UFC 318. [35] However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to UFC on ABC 9 which took place on July 26, 2025. [36] Ricci won the fight by technical knockout in the second round. [37]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches12 wins3 losses
By knockout21
By submission30
By decision72
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win12–3 Amanda Ribas TKO (elbow and punches) UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder July 26, 202522:59 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss11–3 Yan Xiaonan Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo November 23, 202435:00 Macau SAR, China
Win11–2 Angela Hill Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Borralho August 24, 202435:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win10–2 Tecia Pennington Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento May 11, 202435:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Loss9–2 Loopy Godinez Decision (split) UFC 295 November 11, 202335:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win9–1 Gillian Robertson Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria June 24, 202335:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win8–1 Jessica Penne Submission (armbar) UFC 285 March 4, 202322:14 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win7–1 Polyana Viana Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira May 21, 202235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win6–1Maria OliveiraDecision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori October 23, 202135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Strawweight.
Loss5–1 Manon Fiorot TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai June 5, 202123:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFlyweight debut.
Win5–0Shawna OrmsbyTKO (punches) LFA 105 April 23, 202124:50 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
Win4–0Vanessa Marie GrimesSubmission (armbar) LFA 98 January 29, 202111:07 Park City, Kansas, United States
Win3–0Kelsey ArnesenDecision (unanimous) LFA 90 September 4, 202035:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Win2–0Graziele RicottaDecision (unanimous)Brazilian FC 4October 4, 201435:00 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
Win1–0Danielle CunhaSubmission (armbar)Fight Masters Combat 1December 7, 201312:30 São Paulo, BrazilStrawweight debut.

[38]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "ABOUT | Tabatha Ricci". tabatharicci.com. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Desi Flores (November 20, 2020). Tabatha Ricci talks about MMA, Judo & Seiza – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ Tabatha Ricci [@tabatha.ricci]; (February 5, 2021). "A New chapter has began. Black belt season is on ! It has been a long journey and a lot of work put in. I am so grateful for everything I've learned and all the amazing people I met through all of it ! I want to thank my mentor @paragonbjj for all the knowledge and for always pushing me to get the best out of me" – via Instagram.
  5. ↑ "The MMA Complex #188 - Tabatha Ricci" (Podcast). June 29, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Tabatha Ricci ("Baby Shark") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  7. ↑ "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ashlee Evans-Smith (March 18, 2022). "Ep.88 Tabatha "Baby Shark" Ricci" (Podcast).
  9. ↑ "Tabatha Ricci wants a quick turnaround if she wins at LFA 90 | MMAWeekly.com". 2020-09-03. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  10. ↑ King, Kristen (2020-11-13). "Fully committed to MMA again, Tabatha Ricci is making up for lost time". MMA-Prospects.com. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  11. ↑ Youngs, Jose (2020-06-28). "LFA signs Tabatha Ricci, judo black belt and Mackenzie Dern training partner". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  12. ↑ "Conversamos com Tabatha Ricci, que estreou com vitória no LFA 90". MMA Premium (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2022-05-22.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. ↑ "O Liberal Regional - -Lutadora de Birigui finaliza americana no 1º Round no LFA 98". O Liberal Regional - - (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  14. ↑ Sherdog.com. "LFA 98 Highlight Video: Tabatha Ricci Armbars Vanessa Marie Grimes". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  15. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2021-06-02). "Tabatha Ricci vervangt Maryna Moroz zaterdag tegen Manon Fiorot tijdens UFC Fight Night 189". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  16. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (2021-06-05). "UFC Vegas 28 Results: Manon Fiorot Smashes Newcomer Tabatha Ricci". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  17. ↑ Shawn Bitter (October 23, 2021). "UFC Vegas 41 Results: Tabatha Ricci Earns First UFC Win Against Maria Oliveira". cagesidepress.com.
  18. ↑ Behunin, Alex (2022-02-08). "Tabatha Ricci vs. Polyana Viana Set For May 21 UFC Event". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  19. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2022-05-21). "UFC Vegas 55: Tabatha Ricci Takes Polyana Viana the Distance, Wins Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
  20. ↑ Behunin, Alex; Anderson, Jay; Anderson, Alex Behunin and Jay (2022-06-07). "UFC: Tabatha Ricci to Face Cheyanne Vlismas on October 1". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  21. ↑ Farah Hannoun (2022-08-29). "With Cheyanne Vlismas out, Jessica Penne steps in to face Tabatha Ricci at UFC Fight Night 211". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  22. ↑ MMA Junkie Staff (30 Sep 2022). "Jessica Penne illness scraps UFC Fight Night 211 bout with Tabatha Ricci". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  23. ↑ Nolan King (2022-11-24). "UFC books Jessica Penne vs. Tabatha Ricci for March 4 event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  24. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-03-04). "UFC 285: Tabatha Ricci Puts on Dominant Showing, Submits Jessica Penne". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  25. ↑ Tkaczuk, Michał (2023-04-22). "Tabatha Ricci vs Gillian Robertson na czerwcowej gali UFC | MMAROCKS". MMA Rocks! (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  26. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-06-24). "UFC Jacksonville: Tabatha Ricci Fights Smart, Wins Decision Over Submissions Leader Gillian Robertson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  27. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Strawweights Tabatha Ricci, Lupita Godinez to Clash at UFC 295 in New York". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  28. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-11-12). "UFC 295: Loopy Godinez Sets Another Record in Win Over Tabatha Ricci". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  29. ↑ "Tecia Torres returns vs. Tabatha Ricci at UFC Fight Night on May 11". MMA Junkie. 25 February 2024.
  30. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2024-05-11). "Returning Tecia Pennington Falls Victim to "Baby Shark" Tabatha Ricci at UFC St. Louis". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  31. ↑ Nolan King (2024-07-17). "UFC books Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  32. ↑ Jay Anderson (2024-08-24). "UFC Vegas 96: Active Scrap Sees Tabatha Ricci Get Past Angela Hill". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  33. ↑ "UFC Macau adds Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci, Volkan Oezdemir vs. Carlos Ulberg, return of Wang Cong". MMA Junkie. 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  34. ↑ Patrick McCorry (2024-11-23). "One-Sided UFC Macau Co-Main Event Sees Yan Xiaonan Top Tabatha Ricci". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  35. ↑ Alexander Behunin (2025-05-06). "Fight news! Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci added to UFC 318 in New Orleans". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
  36. ↑ Neri Fung (2025-06-04). "Mudança! Luta entre Amanda Ribas e Tabatha Ricci é transferida para o UFC Abu Dhabi". agfight.com. Retrieved 2025-06-04.(in Brazilian Portuguese)
  37. ↑ Staff (2025-07-26). "UFC Abu Dhabi: Tabatha Ricci Sets Up Finish of Amanda Ribas with Nasty Elbows". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  38. ↑ "Tabatha "Baby Shark" Ricci". Sherdog . Retrieved February 23, 2022.
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