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UFC strawweight Amanda Ribas hopes to fight Paige VanZant in the near future and shows off dance moves from Brazil.
UFC strawweight Amanda Ribas hopes to fight Paige VanZant in the near future and shows off dance moves from Brazil.
See whom Charles Oliveira should fight next after his victory over Kevin Lee at UFC on ESPN+ 28.
After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next.
And with another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC on ESPN+ 28’s most noteworthy winning fighters.
Those winners included [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (29-8 MMA, 17-8 UFC), who submitted Kevin Lee (19-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) in the third round of the lightweight headliner at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil, as well as [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC), [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] (14-3-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC), [autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag] (26-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC).
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Should fight: [autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Ribas provided another example why she might be the most promising prospect in the strawweight division when she completely overwhelmed Randa Markos for three rounds for a lopsided unanimous decision win.
Originally, Ribas was supposed to fight VanZant (8-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) on the card, but “PVZ” had another setback with her recurring arm injury and had to pull out. It’s clear Ribas still wants that fight, though, because she repeatedly called VanZant’s name after the win.
Given the situation, it makes sense to give it to her. Ribas is a flourishing star, and VanZant is seemingly on her way out the door of the UFC as she has just one fight remaining on her current contract, and her husband Austin Vanderford has made his home with Bellator MMA. She could soon join him there, and using VanZant’s star power to give Ribas a boost on the way out the door is just smart business.
Should fight: [autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Krylov’s second UFC run continues to be a reflection of his best work. It wasn’t the prettiest of fights, but Krylov managed to take the wind out of Johnny Walker and ride out a unanimous decision win.
The fight marked the first time Krylov has ever won a fight on the scorecards, and in that unfamiliar territory he showed he can shut down a dangerous opponent. Now, it’s time to see if he can use the momentum of this win to make moves in the light heavyweight division.
If the talk of Gustafsson (18-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) returning from retirement turn out to be true, then Krylov would be an interesting welcome back. Gustafsson walked away from the sport last summer following a loss to Anthony Smith, but by all appearances he’s not done. Krylov is a fighter that Gustafsson “should” beat, but Krylov could also rise to the occasion. Either way, we’re learning something important about both men by booking this.
Should fight: Winner of [autotag]Evan Dunham[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN+ 32
Why they should fight: It was an impressive lightweight debut for Moicano, who dispatched of Damir Hadzovic with a rear-naked choke less than a minute into the bout.
Moicano called out Paul Felder in his post-fight interview, but that doesn’t seem like a fight Felder would care to take at this point. The Brazilian had the right idea shooting for a big name, but it will take more work before he gets those type of fights in the deep 155-pound weight class.
Although neither man is ranked, the winner of April’s UFC on ESPN+ 31 matchup between veterans Johnson (19-15 MMA, 11-11 UFC) and Dunham (18-8-1 MMA, 11-8-1 UFC) would be a great deal of fun. Both men have a mountain of UFC experience and don’t roll over easily, and those are the type of fights Moicano needs to be taken seriously as a contender in his new division.
Should fight: [autotag]Santiago Ponzinibbio[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Burns netted a signature win for his resume when he cracked Demian Maia with a massive punch in the first round of their welterweight co-main event, setting himself up for the TKO triumph.
The dangerous Brazilian is now 3-0 since he moved up to welterweight, and his performances are only getting better over time. Beating Maia in the fashion he did is rather unprecedented, so it should most definitely set him up for a big-fight opportunity.
Burns called out Colby Covington during his post-fight media rounds, but that one seems unlikely. A name who would make more sense is Ponzinibbio, who has won his past seven fights but has been out of action since November 2018 due to health issues. He recently told MMA Junkie he’d be back soon, though, and Burns would be a fitting matchup for him to come back to.
Should fight: [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Oliveira should rematch Cerrone (36-14 MMA, 23-11 UFC) next after his main event win.
Amanda Ribas wants to reschedule her fight with Paige VanZant after picking up a big win at UFC on ESPN+ 28.
[autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] wants to reschedule her fight with Paige VanZant after picking up a big win at UFC on ESPN+ 28.
Ribas (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) continued the perfect start to her octagon tenure on Saturday when she earned a one-sided unanimous decision victory over Randa Markos in their strawweight matchup, which took place at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil.
Markos replaced VanZant (8-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in the matchup after “PVZ” had more etbacks with her recurring arm injury. She’s getting back to full health, though, and Ribas said she wants that fight back, and is even willing to move up in weight to make it happen.
“Hello Paige, how are you?” Ribas said on the UFC on ESPN+ 28 post-fight show. “I hope you’re good. I wish your recovery is really good, because I still want to fight with you. It doesn’t matter if it’s 115, or 125 to recovery better. It’s OK. It’s casual.”
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Ribas said fighting VanZant is at the top of her wish list. However, if the stars don’t align, she believes there are alternative option that would see her face either a former UFC or Invicta FC champion.
“I am ambitious,” Ribas said. “I would also like to fight the winner of the fight between Carla Esparza and Michelle Waterson (scheduled for April 11). I’m sure it would be a great fight.”
For now, Ribas revels in her latest performance. She was too much for her foe from beginning to end, outworking Markos on the feet and the ground en route to a 30-25, 30-25 and 30-27 scores.
Markos was the most credentialed opponent Ribas has met to date, and although the Brazilian was unable to finish the fight, she was able to show the extend of her talents.
“Since I started studying Randa Markos as an opponent, I saw that she was a very strong fighter who managed to cancel her opponents’ game,” Ribas said. “I was able to show that I am not just a judo athlete or a jiu-jitsu athlete or just a muay Thai athlete. I am an MMA athlete. I fought standing up, on the ground. Of course I wanted the knockout or the submission, but the victory came and that is what matters.”
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Gilbert Burns and Renato Moicano were among those with specific names in mind for their next fights after UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia.
Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.
So after Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 28 event in Brasilia, who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.
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First up, let’s take a look at the preliminary card.
Wants to fight: [autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag]
The callout: “I want two weeks to enjoy the victory. And then I want to fight Paige VanZant. We were scheduled, and I still want to face her. If she wants to fight at flyweight, I’m here, waiting.
“But I am ambitious. I would also like to fight the winner of the fight between Carla Esparza and Michelle Waterson. I’m sure it would be a great fight.”
The reality: Will we ever see Paige VanZant in the octagon again? If she does come back, [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] is as interesting an opponent as anyone, but she’s just one of a number of UFC fighters who have expressed an interest in welcoming “12 Gauge” back to the octagon. VanZant would likely want the highest-ranked opposition available and, while Ribas is certainly on the up, she might not carry enough upside to convince PVZ to sign the bout agreement. If and when she returns, I’d expect VanZant to face a more established name. As for Ribas, there’s another exciting matchup waiting to be made, with Angela Hill tweeting UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard saying she’d like to face the Brazilian next.
I like that Ribas fight. Miiiiick! @Mickmaynard2 #UFCBrasilia #UFCSanDiego pic.twitter.com/v8kt05dFh5
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) March 14, 2020
I like the look of that matchup a lot, and far prefer it to a possible bout with VanZant.
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Next up: “The Assassin Baby” shoots his shot.
UFC on ESPN+ 28 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.
Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 28 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $209,500.
The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.
UFC on ESPN+ 28 took place Saturday at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. The entire card aired on ESPN.
The full UFC on ESPN+ 28 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
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[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag]: $15,000
[autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Demian Maia[/autotag]: $20,000
[autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Damir Hadzovic[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]John Makdessi[/autotag]: $15,000
[autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Jussier Formiga[/autotag]: $10,000
[autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag]: $10,000
[autotag]Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Aleksei Kunchenko[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Rani Yahya[/autotag]: $20,000
vs. [autotag]Enrique Barzola[/autotag]: $5,000
[autotag]Maryna Moroz[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]David Dvorak[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $3,500
[autotag]Bea Malecki[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Veronica Macedo[/autotag]: $4,000
Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.
In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.
Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
Year-to-date total: $1,293,000
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $32,297,500
Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 28 event in Brasilia, Brazil – which featured no fans in attendance.
While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.
Inside, see what the fighters from UFC on ESPN+ 28 went with as their backing tracks in Brasilia, Brazil.
Amanda Ribas wanted to stay on the Brazil card after Paige VanZant backed out, and her persistence paid off.
Brazil’s [autotag]Amanda Ribas [/autotag] was determined to fight in her homeland, and her persistence paid off on Saturday.
Ribas (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) was originally scheduled to fight Paige Van Zant at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia. When VanZant had to pull out due to an arm injury, she requested to move the fight back a month.
But Ribas refused, wanting to keep the bout in Brazil, and Canada’s [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag] stepped in to take the strawweight fight. In the surreal setting of an empty arena due to COVID-19 concerns, Ribas put on a show, dominating from start to finish for a unanimous decision victory. The judges’ scores were 30-26, 30-25, and 30-25.
“Randa is a really tough girl … thank you to her for (taking) the fight,” Ribas said. “At the moment, UFC said Paige broke her arm. Randa said yes, so thank you.”
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Markos (10-8-1 MMA, 6-7-1 UFC) tried to come out aggressive, but it didn’t take long for the strategy to backfire, as she slipped and Ribas ended up in top position. This turned into a rinse-and-repeat process over the fight’s first two rounds. Markos would manage to get back to her feet, and then find herself back on the mat, as Ribas mixed flashy moves like spinning back fists and kicks with the rest of her striking repertoire to set up her takedowns.
In case there was any doubt left, Markos put on a clinic performance in the third round. She scored a takedown, continually improved her position, worked for multiple submissions, and dished out ground-and-pound in between, all the way to the final horn.
With her third career decision victory, Ribas has now won four in a row. Markos has now dropped two of her past three after her seventh career decision loss.
Randa Markos (10-7-1 MMA, 6-6-1 UFC) vs. Amanda Ribas (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
The women’s strawweight bout was part of the UFC on ESPN+ 28 preliminary card at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. It aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 28 results include:
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Highlighting Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+28 with a three-fight parlay, with odds, analysis and picks.
UFC on ESPN+ 28 – also called UFC Fight Night 170 – is scheduled to go off at the Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia with the card getting underway in Brazil’s capital Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. The bouts will be fought in an empty arena due to the unfortunate COVID-19 situation. We’ll provide a three-fight parlay suggestion to help you build a nice bankroll.
Nothing is a sure thing, and it will be interesting to see how the fighters react to the empty seats. Once the bouts get underway and the first punch is thrown, the fighters should snap right into form. However, the walkout is going to be strange even for the most consummate professional.
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
Place a sports bet on this mixed martial arts action or other events at BetMGM.
Per BetMGM, Ribas (-371) is heavily favored to top Markos in a women’s strawweight bout, and you have to like the Brazilian fighter. She holds advantages in Takedown Average (2.71-1.38), Takedown Accuracy Percentage (57.14-27.59) and Submission Average (1.35-0.26).
Burns (-189) is a big favorite over Maia in a Brazilian vs. Brazilian matchup. The more versatile fighter is Burns, who has a record littered with unanimous decisions, submissions and KO/TKOs since joining the UFC. His versatility, and the fact he is nine years younger than Maia, will serve him well.
Moicano (-358) is also heavily favored over Hadzovic, a.k.a. “The Bosnian Bomber.” Moicano has dropped his past two fights, but losses to Chan Sung Jung and Jose Aldo is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. They’re two of the top fighters in the division. If Moicano avoids the big punch, and perhaps takes this fight to the mat for some ground and pound, it should be a much-needed win for Moicano.
New to sports betting? A $10 THREE-PARLAY wager on RIBAS (-371), BURNS (-189) and MOICANO (-358) nets a profit of $14.84.
To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.
If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
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Previewing Saturday’s Amanda Ribas and Randa Markos UFC matchup, with UFC betting odds, picks and best bets.
Amanda Ribas and Randa Markos tangle in a women’s strawweight bout in the prelims at UFC on ESPN+ 28 – also called UFC Fight Night 170 – at the Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia. The card gets underway in Brazil’s capital Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
Ribas (8-1-0) and Markos (10-8-1) are the same height at 5-foot-4, but Ribas owns a 2 1/2-inch reach advantage. She is 2-0 since making her UFC debut against Emily Whitmire June 29, 2019 on the Ngannou-Dos Santos card in Minneapolis.
Ribas would have been hugely popular in her home nation of Brazil, but the arena will be empty due to the COVID-19 situation. She is coming off an impressive upset victory of Mackenzie Dern at UFC on ESPN+ 19.
Markos replaces the injured Paige VanZant, who bowed out due to an undisclosed ailment. Ever since UFC introduced the women’s strawweight division Markos has been a part of the weight class. She will hold the divisional record with 14 appearances when she arrives in the octagon Saturday. She’ll be trying to avoid going down to the mat, as Ribas is roughly twice as effective on takedowns, holding advantage in submissions. Ribas has a 2.71 Takedown Average to Markos’ 1.38, with a 57.14 percent Takedown Accuracy to just 27.59 percent for the Iraqi-born Canadian Markos. Ribas holds a 1.35-0.26 Submission Average, too.
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:10 a.m. ET.
Place a sports bet on this mixed martial arts action or other events at BetMGM.
Per BetMGM, Ribas (-371) is the overwhelming favorite on the 2-way line vs. Markos (+285). But you can’t risk nearly four times your potential return, so look for a fighter or two and include Ribas as part of a parlay instead.
RIBAS BY SUBMISSION (+450) might be a more lucrative way to go, as she is tremendous on the ground, and that’s not exactly a strong suit of Markos. As such, if you take UNDER 2.5 (+230) for the total number of rounds, you could make out like a bandit if Ribas can finish Markos either by submission, or with a KO/TKO or DQ before the middle of Round 3.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Ribas (-371) to win nets a profit of just $2.70. A $10 wager on Ribas (+450) to win by submission secures a profit of $45, and a $10 wager on the fight to go Under 2.5 rounds (+230) nets a profit of $23.
To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.
If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
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“Hopefully, with a victory and no injuries, I’d still like to face Paige VanZant.”
[autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] still hopes to get the opportunity to face one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Ribas (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) originally was scheduled to fight [autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag] on Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 28, but an injury forced VanZant out, and she was replaced by Randa Markos.
Markos is one of the most experienced strawweights on the roster, and while Ribas may have missed out on the opportunity to face VanZant, she’s fully focused on the task at hand.
However, she does hope that a win over Markos leads to a rescheduled bout with VanZant.
“Hopefully, with a victory and no injuries, I’d still like to face Paige VanZant,” Ribas told MMA Junkie. “I think it’d be a great fight for both of us and for the UFC. But my current focus is only on Randa.
“People had been asking me if I was worried that Paige VanZant, a high-profile fighter, dropped out. I was worried, but only about the fact that I didn’t have an opponent. About two days later, I was booked against Randa. So, that’s where my complete focus is now. I’m getting ready to put on a show.”
Ribas got a taste of what it’s like to face a notable name last October when she upset the highly touted MacKenzie Dern, knocking her from the ranks of the unbeaten. Now Ribas will look to make it 3-0 in the UFC against a strong grappler and always game “Ultimate Fighter” veteran Markos.
“Randa is very strategic,” Ribas said. “My plan is to do my game and not fall into hers. I think that’s her main weapon – she’s a strategist. She’s very strong and experienced. She’s often able to nullify her opponents’ strong points. I’m training to keep that from happening.
“Expect a highly exciting fight. Amanda Ribas is coming at full force. When you have a dream, and you work hard for it, it doesn’t matter where you come from. What matters is your willpower and positivity. Things will work out for the best.”
UFC on ESPN+ 28 takes at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. The card is expected to stream on ESPN+.
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