MMA Preview – Amanda Ribas vs Paige VanZant at UFC 251
THE FACTS
When is UFC 251? Sunday 12th June, 2020 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 251? Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
What channel is UFC 251 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 251? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ which can you sign up to here!
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
Amanda Ribas and Paige VanZant finally have their date after VanZant has recovered from her arm fractures but Ribas moves up to flyweight hunting another scalp.
Ribas has looked exceptional and impresses more with each appearance. After serving a reduced ban for a tainted supplement she met and submitted Emily Whitmire on her UFC debut and then schooled elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner – Mackenzie Dern, handing her, her first loss. She then went on to earn another unanimous decision against UFC veteran Randa Markos in her last outing to rise up the strawweight form table to #5.
Despite submitting Rachael Ostovich in her last fight, VanZant has slipped down the flyweight form table due to her inactivity and losing three of her last five. The win over Ostovich was a great response after losing to Michelle Waterson and Jessica-Rose Clark but her injuries have really stifled any momentum and she is desperate to prove she has more skills in the cage than she does on social media.
THE PREDICTION
VanZant is a great grappler but Ribas will have the advantage in this department despite moving up from strawwweight. She is a black belt in Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu but it was her wrestling that enabled her to control the best female submission artist in the UFC for three rounds.
So, VanZant needs to get to work on the feet where she is very talented. Her knockout over Bec Rawlings was sensational but she does not have any notable wins on the record. She is very tough and has the speed and movement to give Ribas problems but the Brazilian just looks a step above in every area at the moment and has her grappling to call upon if she senses any danger on the feet.
Winner: Ribas via Submission
