Born August 26, 1993, in Varginha, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Amanda Limborco Alcântara Ribas grew up immersed in martial arts under the guidance of her father, Marcelo Ribas—a renowned judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach who also teaches Muay Thai. After early success on the international judo and grappling circuit, Ribas overcame knee injuries to claim the 2014 IMMAF Women’s Flyweight World Championship before turning professional later that year.
Ribas signed with the UFC in 2019 and made an immediate impact, submitting Emily Whitmire in her debut and following up with wins over Mackenzie Dern and Paige VanZant—all while splitting time between the strawweight and flyweight divisions. Her ability to adapt across two weight classes, combined with polished striking and elite grappling, has made her one of the promotion’s most exciting dual-division fighters.
Image: Web Summit Rio from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, VR5 1744 (52868673328) (cropped), CC BY 2.0
What the Fighter Is Known For
Amanda Ribas is celebrated for her well-rounded skill set: powerful striking that yields four career knockouts, plus a dangerous submission game with four tap-outs to her name. Equally comfortable trading strikes on the feet or hunting for chokes on the mat, she keeps opponents guessing—and capitalizes on every opening.
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Key Stats
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Full Name: Amanda Limborco Alcântara Ribas
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Born: August 26, 1993 (age 31)
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Birthplace: Varginha, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
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Reach: 66 in (168 cm)
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Weight Classes: Strawweight (115 lb) & Flyweight (125 lb)
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Stance: Orthodox
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Team: American Top Team (2016–present)
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Rank: Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; Black belt in Judo
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Pro MMA Record: 13 wins (4 KO, 4 Sub, 5 Dec) vs. 6 losses (3 KO, 1 Sub, 2 Dec)
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UFC Women’s Strawweight Ranking: #7 (as of March 11, 2025)
Career Highlights
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2014 IMMAF World Champion (Women’s Flyweight): Claimed gold before starting her pro career
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Jungle Fight Strawweight Champion: Won the title with a first-round rear-naked choke at Jungle Fight 79 (Jul 4, 2015)
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Max Fight Strawweight Champion: Captured the MF belt via second-round TKO at Max Fight 18 (May 21, 2016)
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UFC Debut Submission: Rear-naked choke finish of Emily Whitmire at UFC on ESPN 3 (Jun 29, 2019)
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Submission of the Night: Armbar victory over Paige VanZant at UFC 251 (Jul 12, 2020)
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Fight of the Night: Split-decision loss to Katlyn Chookagian, earning her first bonus at UFC on ESPN 36 (May 14, 2022)
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Performance of the Night: Third-round spinning-wheel-kick TKO of Luana Pinheiro at UFC Fight Night 232 (Nov 18, 2023)
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Concluding Thoughts
Amanda Ribas’s journey—from a small-town Brazilian prodigy to a top-10 UFC contender in two divisions—demonstrates both her technical mastery and relentless will to compete. As she continues to challenge elite opponents at strawweight and flyweight, her blend of power, submissions, and fight-night charisma make her a fan favorite and a constant threat.
Keep an eye on this rising star as she chases championship gold and cements her legacy among the UFC’s most dynamic female athletes.
For more on the UFC’s top female talent, check out Top 7 UFC’s Hottest Female Fighters Today.