UFC free fight: Marina Rodriguez sparks Amanda Ribas to hand her first octagon loss
Marina Rodriguez showed she has serious power in her hands against Amanda Ribas.
Rodriguez faced Ribas at UFC 257 in January 2021, which kickstarted her run to top contention.
Ribas pressured Rodriguez early, keeping her on her back foot. Less than two minutes into the round, Ribas landed a takedown and was able to ride top control for the rest of the round.
But in the opening minute of Round 2, Rodriguez dropped Ribas with a counter right and some big follow-up shots, leading referee Herb Dean to take a close look. Rodriguez thought the fight was over, but Dean called her back. Shortly after, Rodriguez stunned Ribas with an elbow and a big right, and Dean finally stopped the fight with Ribas out on her feet.
Since then, Rodriguez (16-1-2 MMA, 6-1-2 UFC) has won three straight over Michelle Waterson, Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xiaonan. She returns to action Saturday when she takes on fellow Brazilian Amanda Lemos (12-2-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 214, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Before she faces Lemos, relive Rodriguez’s finish of Ribas in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 214.
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UFC Fight Night 214 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Julianna Peña debuts as desk analyst
