Tabatha Ricci
Tabatha Ricci Fabri Salto is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, currently competing in the women's Strawweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of August 12, 2025, she is #8 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.
Background
Ricci was born and raised in Birigui, Brazil. She has an older sister. Following her father's footsteps, Ricci started training judo at the age of six and took up Muay Thai at the age of 15. She started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 17, and at 18 she began training in boxing and had her first professional bout.She moved to Japan in 2017 for a year to compete in SEIZA competitions, before moving to the US to focus on mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Right after turning eighteen, Ricci made her professional mixed martial arts debut. Having difficulties in finding bouts after winning her first two bouts, Ricci eventually moved to Japan in 2017 to train various disciplines and compete in custom rules bouts. In late 2017 she moved to California in order to focus on her Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In 2020 she signed a three-fight contract with Legacy Fighting Alliance where she ultimately won all of her bouts, defeating Kelsey Arnesen at LFA 90 by way of unanimous decision, Vanessa Marie Grimes via first round armbar at LFA 98 and finally Shawna Ormsby at LFA 105 via TKO stoppage in the second round.Ultimate Fighting Championship
Replacing withdrawn Maryna Moroz, Ricci made her promotional debut on 4 days notice against Manon Fiorot on June 5, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai. Ricci lost the bout via standing TKO in the second round.Following her debut returned back to strawweight division and made her sophomore appearance in the organization against Maria Oliveira at UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori on October 23, 2021. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Ricci faced Polyana Viana on May 21, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Ricci was scheduled to face Cheyanne Vlismas on October 1, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 211. Vlismas pulled out in late August for personal reasons and was replaced by former Strawweight Championship">Strawweight (MMA)">Strawweight Championship challenger and inaugural Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Jessica Penne, however the fight was cancelled due to an illness with Penne on the day of the weigh-ins.
Ricci faced Jessica Penne on March 4, 2023, at UFC 285. She won the fight via an armbar in the second round.
Ricci faced Gillian Robertson on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5. She won the bout via unanimous decision.
Ricci faced Loopy Godinez on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. She lost the close bout via split decision.
Ricci faced Tecia Pennington on May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56. She won the fight by split decision.
Ricci faced former Invicta Fighting Strawweight Champion Angela Hill on August 24, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 62. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Ricci faced Yan Xiaonan on November 23, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 248. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Ricci was scheduled to face Amanda Ribas on July 19, 2025 at UFC 318. However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to UFC on ABC 9 which took place on July 26, 2025. Ricci won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.
Ricci is scheduled to face Virna Jandiroba on April 4, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 272.