Paige VanZant vs. Amanda Ribas - 7/11/20 UFC 251 Pick, Odds, and Prediction
2020-07-11 23:00:00 EDT
Amanda Ribas and Paige VanZant fight Saturday during UFC 251 at Yas Island Beach.
Amanda Ribas enters this fight with a 9-1 record and has won 33 percent of her fights by decision. Ribas has won each of her last four fights and is coming off a March win over Randa Markos. Ribas is averaging 4.84 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 44 percent. Ribas is averaging 2.02 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 50 percent. Ribas is now 3-0 under the UFC banner and is coming off a dominating performance where she landed 173 total strikes and produced a takedown. Ribas has seen her last two fights go the distance, but she’s proven her conditioning is on point and she can be effective for all three rounds. Ribas has a background in Muay Thai, judo and is a black belt in BJJ. Ribas is just a ball of energy in the octagon, as she’s willing to stand in the pocket and trade strikes with a high work rate. Ribas is also effective with her takedowns, is quite athletic and has a mean ground and pound that she’s used to finish fights. This will be Ribas’ first career fight in Abu Dhabi.
Paige VanZant enters this fight with a 8-4 record and has won 38 percent of her fights by decision. VanZant has split her last six fights and is coming off a January (2019) win over Rachael Ostovich. VanZant is averaging 3.40 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 52 percent. VanZant is averaging 1.31 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 33 percent. VanZant was dominant in her victory at UFC Fight Night 143 that ended in a second round submission and she looks for back-to-back wins for the first time since 2015. However, there’s concern with VanZant being out of the octagon this long and breaking her arm a couple times, which was the reason for the long layoff. VanZant is a pressure fighter who relies on her grappling, ground and pound and boxing ability. VanZant wants to muck things up by closing the distance, thiteming knees and legs in the clinch and isn’t afraid to go to the canvas. VanZant is a purple belt in BJJ and has won two of her three submissions via armbar. This will be VanZant’s first career fight in Abu Dhabi.
This should be an entertaining fight between two fighters with a pressure style and high work rates, which should lead to action from the start. The difference here is Ribas is a bit more polished in every area, and she’d probably have the edge wherever the fight goes, especially on the feet where she has a clear power edge. VanZant is one of those fighters who doesn’t do anything spectacular that makes you believe she can beat higher level fighters, and she’s been out of the cage for a year and a half. Potential rust doesn’t do VanZant any favors here.
Give me Ribas in a finish.
