Amanda Ribas Suggests Comeback Bout With Yan Xiaonan: I Think It Would Be A Great Fight

Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger - Zuffa LLC

UFC strawweight contender, Amanda Ribas has been out of action since her UFC 257 knockout loss to compatriot, Marina Rodriguez in January, and following recent failed pairings with Angela Hill -- has suggested what she describes as a "great" fight with May feature, Yan Xiaonan in her Octagon return.

Booked to make her Octagon return for the first time since her 'Fight Island' knockout loss at the beginning of the year, Ribas was forced from a UFC Vegas 26 bout with former Invicta FC strawweight best, Hill after she returned a positive COVID-19 test result. The promotion's bid to rebook the bout in June at UFC Vegas 28 was hampered when Ribas was still displaying lingering issues amid her positive novel coronavirus test result. 

For Xiaonan, the Shenyang-born standout suffered her first Octagon loss at UFC Vegas 27 in May in a co-main event clash with inaugural UFC and Invicta FC strawweight best, Carla Esparza -- in the form of a one-sided second round knockout loss after a volley of ground strikes. The bout was largely viewed as a potential title-eliminator at strawweight to current champion, Rose Namajunas' undisputed throne. 

Issuing a callout, a rather polite one at that, this afternoon to Xiaonan -- Ribas cited that the majority of their strawweight peers are booked, and suggested they partake in a "great" fight next.

"Heyy @yanxiaonan (Yan Xiaonan) how are you?!" Ribas posted on Twitter. "I was thinking.. almost all fighters in out weight divsiion have a scheduled fight.. How about schedule ours too? I think it would be a GREAT fight. @ufc @UFCNews @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @ribasfight @Alexdavismma @MMAJunkie @espnmma @canalCombate"

Heyy @yanxiaonan how are you?I was thinking..almost all fighters in our weight division have a scheduled fight..How about schedule ours too?I think it would be a GREAAT fight😍😍😍@ufc @UFCNews @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @ribasfight @Alexdavismma @MMAjunkie @espnmma @canalCombate

— Amanda Ribas (@amandaribasufc) June 24, 2021

At the time of publication, Ribas currently sits as the #11 ranked strawweight, while Xiaonan occupies the #4 slot in the 115lbs division. Both have suffered second round knockout defeats in their most recent respective Octagon walks. 

Before her Abu Dhabi, UAE knockout loss to Muay Thai ace, Rodriguez -- Ribas had lodged four consecutive victories during her brief UFC run, including submission wins over both Emily Whitmire, and upcoming BFKC feature, Paige VanZant, as well as a pair of unanimous decision wins over both Randa Markos and the #6 rated, Mackenzie Dern. 

13-2 as a professional, Xiaonan had impressed during her four-year, six-fight Octagon run prior to her loss to Esparza, notching successes against Kailin Curran, Vivanae Pereira, Syuri Kondo, Angela Hill, as well as former title challengers, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Claudia Gadelha.