Report: Targeted Pairing of Carla Esparza and Amanda Ribas Off UFC 256 Card on December 12th.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Erikson - MMA Junkie & MMA Junkie

A targeted pairing of former UFC strawweight champion, Carla 'Cookie Monster' Esparza, and streaking grappler, Amanda Ribas won't take place at UFC 256 on December 12th. in Las Vegas, Nevada - as originally planned.

According to a report by MMA Fighting reporters, Guilherme Cruz, Mike Heck, and Damon Martin - the December 12th. date proved problematic - with plans currently in place for Ribas to remain on the pay-per-view event against an opponent yet to be disclosed, ahead of a rescheduled matching with the former champion sometime next year.

Originally hoping to score her stunning fifth consecutive victory, Esparza scored a split decision win over the then-undefeated, Marina Rodriguez at a UFC Fight Island event at the end of July. The victory added to prior successes over Michelle Waterson, Alexa Grasso, and fellow former Invicta FC strawweight best, Virna Jandiroba. 

Now in need of a new opponent - Ribas has lit up the promotion since her first appearance under the UFC's banner back in June of last year at UFC Fight Night Minneapolis. Debuting with a second-round rear-naked choke win over Emily Whitmire, the 27-year-old Minas Gerais native then secured a unanimous decision win over Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu standout, Mackenzie Dern in August.

This year, at UFC Fight Night Brasília on home soil - Ribas took a unanimous judging win over Randa 'Quiet Storm' Markos, before notching a high-profile opening frame armbar triumph over recent Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship signee, Paige VanZant at UFC 251 in July in Abu Dhabi, UAE.