In a Brazilian duel at UFC Las Vegas 55, Tabatha Ricci fights strategically and overcomes Polyana Viana

T. Ricci (right) defeated P. Viana in the UFC Las Vegas 55. Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

The Brazilian duel in UFC Las Vegas 55 was marked by strategy. Opponent of Polyana viana at the event this Saturday (21), Tabatha Ricci he strictly followed the plan drawn up by the team and came out on top after three rounds of confrontation. After 15 minutes of fighting, the São Paulo native was declared the winner in a unanimous decision by the judges.

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With the result, Ricco confirms the good moment in the organization. Representative of the strawweights (up to 52,1kg.), the athlete now dreams of the possibility of reaching the top 15 in the division led by Carla esparza.

Owner of excellent jiu-jitsu, Viana even scared her rival in the first round. Even though she was dangerous in a disadvantaged position, with her back on the ground, Polyana was unable to finish and, according to the side judges, she performed insufficiently for a positive result.

The fight

The confrontation began with Ricci taking the initiative with a kick to the waist. Polyana responded in kind. Tabatha went for it, but Viana took advantage and tried to land a guillotine choke. The athletes went to the ground, but Ricci freed them. Without much action, Ricci allowed her opponent to stay on her feet. Tabatha tried to shorten it, but suffered from the counter blows of Polyana, who made use of her greater reach. The combatants went into the clinch and, immediately, Viana pulled her opponent into guard, taking her compatriot to the ground again. From below, Polyana involved her opponent and limited her opponent, who was unable to advance in transitions. In the final seconds, Ricci stayed on his feet, but there was no more time.

In the second stage, Tabatha sought to close the distance by throwing kicks and jabs. Longer, Polyana touched her opponent more and, consequently, scored points. Almost halfway through the round, Viana hit her opponent with a round elbow. Ricci continued to have difficulty getting into her compatriot's range of action and was attacked when she approached. With almost two minutes left in the round, Tabatha managed to take down Polyana, but did not insist on the confrontation on the ground. Near the final minute, Tabatha attacked Pará and looked for ground and pound, but Viana tried to stop her opponent. In the final seconds, Polyana remained on her feet, but was knocked down again, until the timer reached zero.

The last round started with Polyana taking risks with her striking. Tabatha managed to shorten it and started to press her opponent against the bars. The duel remained balanced, with the fighters aiming for the highest score. Just over a minute into the fight, Ricci took down Polyana again. The woman from Pará tried to avoid Tabatha's transitions, who ended up standing. Without much action, the referee asked the athletes to stand. Immediately, Tabatha tried a takedown again, but, with her excellent jiu-jitsu, Viana managed to reverse the position. The athletes stood up and, following the strategy, Tabatha took her rival to the ground. Ricci got back to his feet and ended the clash by kicking his opponent's bases.

Chidi Njokuani massacres rival with devastating knockout

Chidi Njōkuani derrotou Dusko Todorovic No. UFC Las Vegas 55. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Promise of the middleweights (up to 83,9kg.) of Ultimate, Chidi Njōkuani He once again proved what he can do in the octagon. Opponent of Dusko Todorovic, the North American managed to nullify his opponent's 'grappling fight' and achieved an epic outcome on the show. With a spinning elbow, the combatant won with a knockout in the first round.

With the triumph, Njokuani extends the good moment in the company. Now, the middleweight reaches the mark of four consecutive victories, all of which are on the fast track.

Victim of Chidi's aggression, Todorovic was unable to achieve his second consecutive victory. Now, the athlete has three stumbles in the last five appearances.

Jun Yong Park overcomes Eryk Anders in close fight

J. Park (left) during fight against E. Anders (right) in UFC Las Vegas 55. Photo: Disclosure/UFC

Balanced confrontation in the fight that opened the main card of Ultimate. Middleweight representatives (up to 83,9kg.), Jun Yong Park didn't have an easy life Erik Anders. The South Korean alternated between good and bad moments and, after 15 minutes and a busy confrontation, he was declared the winner in a split decision by the judges.

With the result, Park recovers from the defeat suffered by Gregory Robocop, in October 2021. Now, the athlete resumes his climb towards the top of the category led by Israel adesanya.

MMA veteran, Erik Anders did not hide his disappointment after the official results were announced. The athlete, who scared his opponent in combat situations, now has three setbacks in the last five challenges.

UFC Las Vegas 55 Stats

UFC Las Vegas 55 results

MAIN CARD

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Ketlen Scallop derrotou Holly holm in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)

Welterweight (up to 77kg): Michael Pereira derrotou Santiago Ponzinibbio in the judges' split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Chidi Njōkuani derrotou Dusko Todorovic by knockout (elbow) at 4m48s of R1

Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Tabatha Ricci derrotou Polyana viana in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Jun Yong Park derrotou Erik Anders in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Joseph Holmes derrotou Alen Amedovski via submission (rear naked choke) at 1m04s of R1

Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg):  Jailton Malhadinho derrotou parker porter by submission (choke) at 4min35s of R1

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Uros Medic derrotou Omar Morales by technical knockout at 3m5s of R2

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Jonathan martinez derrotou Vince Morales in the unanimous decision of the judges

Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Chase Hooper derrotou Felipe Cabocão by technical knockout 3 minutes into R3

Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Sam Hughes derrotou Elise Reed by technical knockout at 3min52s of R3

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