Rising UFC women’s strawweight contender Amanda Ribes is expected to face her biggest challenge in the UFC. AGFight’s Diego Ribas reports that Ribes is targeted to fight Michelle Waterson at UFC 257 on January 23rd. UFC 257 doesn’t have a confirmed venue. MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz and Mike Heck confirmed this report with people knowledgeable of the situation.
Ribes is on a five-fight win streak with four being in the UFC. She’s ranked ninth in the strawweight division. Her last win was against Paige VanZant at flyweight by submission via armbar at UFC 251 on July 12th at the Flash Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. A win over Waterson can put her in the conversation as being a possible title contender.
Waterson is looking to get back in the hunt for the strawweight championship. She defeated Angela Hill by split decision at UFC Fight Night 177 on September 12th at the UFC APEX Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. Waterson has been close to challenging for the strawweight championship multiple times in her UFC career. A win over Ribes can put her one or two fights away from finally getting her opportunity at UFC championship gold.