Report: Carla Esparza vs. Amanda Ribas Targeted For UFC 256 On December 12th.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Erickson - MMA Junkie & MMA Junkie

An intriguing strawweight matchup between inaugural UFC and Invicta FC division champion, Carla 'Cookie Monster' Esparza, and surging grappling talent, Amanda Ribas is currently in the works for UFC 256 on December 12th. - with a location and venue for the event yet to be determined by the promotion.

Attempting to continue her route to a second title challenge under the promotion's banner, Californian wrestling ace, Esparza extended her winning run to four-fights at a UFC 'Fight Island' event in July - with an eye-catching unanimous judging win over the then-undefeated Brazilian Muay Thai ace, Marina Rodriguez.

Also featuring on a Yas Island UFC 251 event - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu upstart, Ribas added recent BKFC addition, Paige '12 Gauge' VanZant to her win column with a quickfire opening round armbar victory. News of the 115-pound matchup was initially reported by MMA Fighting's, Mike Heck and Guilherme Cruz.

Adding the aforenoted, Rodriguez to her spectacular winning run - Esparza has notched other wins over former Invicta FC atomweight best, Michelle Waterson, recent flyweight mover, Alexa Grasso, and former Invicta FC titleholder, Virna Jandiroba.

Originally taking UFC gold, Esparza secured the TUF 20 tournament and the strawweight crown with a third-round rear-naked choke win over future titleholder, 'Thug' Rose Namajunas back in December 2014.

Making big waves under the UFC's banner already - 27-year-old Minas Gerais native, Ribas will look to move to 5-0 in the organization, as well as score her most high-profile career victory to date.

Since her promotional bow back at UFC Fight Night Minneapolis in June of last year - Ribas has scored notable victories over Emily Whitmire, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu standout, Mackenzie Dern, longtime contender, Randa Markos, as well as her previously noted victory over VanZant.