Brazilian contender Amanda Ribas has her sights firmly set on a shot at the UFC women's flyweight title, and thinks that one big win over her next opponent could be enough to punch her ticket to a title opportunity.
Ribas takes on Maycee Barber in the co-main event of UFC Jacksonville this weekend in Florida, where she hopes that an impressive performance will be enough to earn her a shot at the women's 125-pound title.
Speaking to Stake.com ahead of the bout, Ribas said, "I hope that a win over Maycee Barber will give me a title shot.
"I know that a win will put me in the top five flyweights for sure. Depending on how the fight goes or how I win, my next fight could be for the title."
If that were to be the case, it's likely that Ribas would have to wait until the title is contested one more time. The division's current champ, Mexico's Alexa Grasso, is likely to face former long-reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko in a championship rematch.
"It was great that Alexa Grasso beat Valentina for the title because it changed the game," Ribas said.
"People can see that it is not just strawweights that have good fighters, but flyweights also have good quality competition too. It is not just about the top five anymore. The top five are excellent and so are the top 10 and 15 of the division. There are very good strikers and fighters who have a very good ground game, also."
Ribas continued, saying that, despite Shevchenko's shock defeat to Grasso, "Bullet" still has plenty left in the tank to make another title run. But, if Grasso was to defeat Shevchenko for a second time, Ribas would see that matchup as the more favorable head-to-head for her.
"It is nowhere near time for Valentina Shevchenko to retire, but Alexa Grasso would be an easier fight for me," she said.
"I don't think it is Valentina Shevchenko's time to retire at all. She is only 35 years old. I think she is really healthy, she sells fights really well and I don't think she will retire right now.
"In regards to fighting either Alexa Grasso or Valentina Shevchenko, my vision is currently on Alexa Grasso as she is the flyweight world champion. If Valentina beats Grasso in a rematch, then I will shift my focus accordingly and fight Valentina."
And Ribas even offered a bold prediction for the matchup if she did eventually face Grasso for the title.
"Alexa Grasso will be the better fighter for me," she said.
"With Grasso I will be able to take her to the ground, find her back and make her tap out just like she did to Valentina Shevchenko!"
Before she can fully focus on a possible title challenge, Ribas has to take on Barber in Jacksonville. The American is in top form, having win four in a row, with victories over Miranda Maverick, Montana De La Rosa, Jessica Eye, and Andrea Lee in her recent run. Ribas, meanwhile, is looking to secure back-to-back victories following a unanimous decision win over Viviane Araujo at UFC 285 in March.
The bout represents a tough test for Ribas, but the always-positive Brazilian said she's confident of victory on Saturday night.
"I predict that the referee will raise my hand on Saturday against Maycee Barber," she said.
"Because I have been training a lot in Virginia and I know that I have never put this amount of work into a camp before and had this amount of energy with my teammates. I know this match will be full of fire because I have put everything in to win."
