Marcelo Ribas is a father and coach of Amanda ribas. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Nothing makes a father prouder than the success of his children. And in the case of Marcelo Ribas, it is no different. On the eve of UFC Vegas 101, he, who is also the fighter's coach Amanda ribas, is satisfied with the results of the training before the match this Saturday (11). His daughter enters the Apex octagon, in Las Vegas (USA), in the rematch against the also Brazilian Mackenzie dern.
Just the fact that Amanda left Varginha, in the South of Minas Gerais, to win the world in MMA and also being featured in the main event of the UFC for the second time is already a reason for joy for Marcelo. But the father and coach wants more. He knows where his daughter can go. He knows that his faithful companion can show what she has learned since she was three years old, when she started judo and jiu-jitsu.
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The first confrontation of Amanda ribas against Mackenzie dern took place in October 2019, in UFC Tampa. At the time, the fighter with North American roots arrived in Florida with an undefeated record of seven victories, while the fighter from Minas Gerais had only been in the organization for three months, after debuting with a victory against emily whitmire. More complete and with sharp muay thai, Amanda overcame Mackenzie and was declared the winner by unanimous decision of the judges.
Five years later, the two would meet in the rematch that would take place again in UFC Tampa, in December of last year. However, the duo was 'promoted' to the main fight of the first event of 2025, UFC Vegas 101. Reason to celebrate for Marcelo and his team, who had another month to work and make Amanda more than ready. The coach recalled the last fights in which his daughter faced problems outside the octagon.
“It’s difficult. Especially in the last four fights. Amanda was either injured or sick. But for this fight she’s super healthy, thank God. An extra month was great to get to the fight sharper. Amanda is flying,” said Marcelo.
Marcelo Ribas also spoke about how his father's heart beats when he watches his daughter from the corner. But anyone who thinks he 'covers his eyes' when Amanda receives a blow in the octagon is mistaken. For him, as a former fighter, it's part of the job.
Amanda ribas (dir.) defeated Mackenzie dern (left) in 2019. Photo: Instragram UFCBrasil
“I’m a fighter, I was a mixed martial artist with 48 fights, 46 without gloves. I’m used to it, it’s our life. The hardest part is the training. But today we train in a very intelligent way, so it makes things easier,” he explained.
With a phrase often said in the southern city of Minas Gerais, the father and coach of Amanda ribas considers himself 'old school'. Marcelo states that he does not carry out psychological work with his daughter and that he prefers to teach her the path and philosophy of the warrior.
“Honestly? [about psychological work] None, I’m old school. In our time, there was no such thing as psychological work. It was about having determination and blood in your eyes [laughs]. I’ve been through many difficult challenges and that shaped us. A true gladiator is forged in difficult moments,” he concluded.
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