UFC 251: Amanda Ribas wants to steal some of ‘crazy’ Paige VanZant’s fans on Fight Island

Brazilian flyweight Ribas looking to win over some of popular VanZant’s impressive social media following

Ribas outlines dream of emulating compatriot Amanda Nunes and becoming a two-weight champ

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UFC women’s flyweight Amanda Ribas in her hotel in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Instagram/Amanda Ribas

Published: 2:46am, 9 Jul 2020Updated: 5:06am, 9 Jul 2020

Highly-touted Brazilian flyweight Amanda Ribas hopes to steal some of Paige VanZant’s fans with an impressive performance at UFC 251 on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Ribas (9-1), who has won all three of her fights since joining the promotion, said she was aware of American VanZant’s (8-4) unpredictable style of fighting but intends to carry on her dream of becoming a UFC double champion.

“I hope so,” Ribas said at the UFC virtual media day on Wednesday when asked whether she wanted to win over some of VanZant’s impressive social media following.

“I think I need to be careful because she’s a little crazy. Sometimes I watched her fight and when you think she’ll kick, she’ll throw a punch. When you think she’ll throw a punch, she’ll take you down. I hope it’s a great fight for me and her because I put everything into this.”

Ribas, who beat Randa Markos via unanimous decision in March having notably beaten multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Mackenzie Dern in October last year, explained that she wants to follow in the footsteps of UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion and fellow Brazilian Amanda Nunes.