With Mackenzie Dern’s first title challenger still undecided, Saturday’s co-main event carries significant weight in determining who gets the next shot at her strawweight belt.
No. 3-ranked Virna Jandiroba (22–4, 8–4 UFC) is hungry for her get-back after falling to Dern on the judges’ scorecards for the vacant belt in October. She’ll take on fellow jiu-jitsu black belt Tabatha Ricci (12–3, 7–3 UFC) — coming off a second-round knockout of Amanda Ribas in July — in a high-stakes showdown at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Jandiroba enters as a -130 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Ricci sits as a +110 underdog. The total is set at 2.5 rounds.
Jandiroba vs. Ricci Preview
Virna Jandiroba
Virna Jandiroba is seeking redemption after her vacant strawweight title loss to Mackenzie Dern in October — a competitive unanimous decision that marked her second career loss against the reigning champion. The setback derailed one of the more dominant runs in the division’s recent history: a five-fight win streak dating back to May 2022.
During that stretch, the veteran jiu-jitsu specialist imposed her suffocating grappling, piling up heavy control time against top contenders Yan Xiaonan, Loopy Godinez, and Amanda Lemos. Against Lemos, “Carcara” cinched a second-round armbar to notch her 14th career submission victory — bolstering an impressive 68% finish rate.
At 37, Jandiroba’s championship window is closing fast. And she knows it.
Tabatha Ricci
Despite being shelved since last July, Tabatha Ricci returns to the Octagon riding momentum. In her last outing, “Baby Shark” swarmed Amanda Ribas with elbows en route to a second-round TKO — her first knockout victory in the UFC.
Like her opponent, the 31-year-old Ricci is a dominant grappler with a strong judo base. However, she’s also a high-volume striker who thrives in chaos on the feet — her latest win serving as a case in point.
Still, having gone 3–2 in her last five, she’ll need to channel another level of consistency in the biggest fight of her career.
Jandiroba vs. Ricci Pick, Best Bet
If Ricci can keep the fight standing, she has a clear pathway to victory. But that’s easier said than done against Jandiroba, one of the most prolific grapplers at 115 pounds.
The seasoned veteran has racked up significant control time during her current run, smothering opponents like Yan Xiaonan and Loopy Godinez — both of whom hold recent wins over Ricci. Even in her championship loss to Mackenzie Dern, Jandiroba landed nine takedowns and held more than nine minutes of control.
Expect “Carcara” to dictate pace, impose her will on the mat, and leave Saturday night with one last chance to reshape her destiny.
