Tabatha Ricci is a 27-year-old UFC fighter. The model-thin tiny girl's appearance conceals a real martial arts master. In this material, we will tell you about the fighting career of a girl whose family is no stranger to martial arts.
Tabatha Ricci was born on February 21, 1995, in Birigui, Brazil, becoming the second child of Carlos Salto and Karina Ricci. Tabatha has an elder sister named Ingrid.
Tabatha was introduced to the world of martial arts at the age of six. She was inspired by her father who had a black belt in judo. First, Ricci was engaged in judo and at the age of 15, she switched to muay thai. After winning several Brazilian competitions, she took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 17.
The combination of fighting skills gained from various martial arts allowed Tabatha to take a new step and turn to MMA. Ricci's professional debut was when she was 18. She applied an armbar to Danielle Cunha in the first round of the FMC 1.
After two wins at the professional level, Tabatha faced a shortage of opponents. Then she took a radical step and went to Japan to study new martial techniques and perform there. Ricci spent a whole year in the Land of the Rising Sun, taking part in team competitions in Japanese martial arts. Then Ricci went to the USA. She became a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor in Paragon BJJ and started training in the Black House gym.
Tabatha was a sparring partner of Mackenzie Dern, a top UFC fighter.
In 2020, Ricci resumed her performance after a six-year break, signing a contract with the LFA promotion. There she had three bouts and won each of them. The UFC got interested in the undefeated fighter and offered her a contract.
Tabatha's debut in the strongest promotion in the world was unsuccessful. On June 5, 2021, the Brazilian lost to Manon Fiorot via TKO at UFC Fight Night 189. But after this failure, Ricci pulled herself up and won two consecutive fights. In October 2021, Tabatha beat Maria Oliveira and in May 2022, she defeated Polyana Viana.
Tabatha's nickname is Baby Shark.
The ambitious Brazilian doesn't plan to rest on her laurels. She is to face Cheyanne Vlismas at UFC Fight Night on October 2.
