Tabatha Ricci Reflects on MMA Journey Ahead of Her Biggest Fight

Mo. Basuony

Published: April 4, 2026 8:21 PM ET

Tabatha Ricci, 31, will return to the Octagon this weekend. She faces Virna Jandiroba in Las Vegas at the Meta APEX on April 4, 2026.

High stakes co-main event

The bout comes with clear title implications. Ricci sits seventh in the UFC strawweight rankings.

Jandiroba is ranked third. She holds a 22-4 professional record and last fought for the title in October.

Virna Jandiroba is known for elite grappling. She has worked with Demian Maia to refine her jiu-jitsu.

Her recent style drew fan criticism for extended ground exchanges. Ricci views Jandiroba as a tough challenge.

Ricci joined the UFC in 2021 and debuted in June that year. Her last win was a TKO over Amanda Ribas in July.

She has an active training regime and says she will be ready for anything. Ricci spoke to Filmogaz.com from Las Vegas.

Her UFC record stands at 7-3 before this fight. The upcoming bout will be her eleventh UFC appearance.

Ricci describes farm life with partner Callum Walsh as calming. They bought a farm last year.

She calls work with animals a form of meditation. That time helps her manage fight-week pressure.

Ricci began judo at age six. Her father, Carlos “Trovão” Salto, is a respected judo master in Brazil.

Black belt in judo.
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; two-time world champion at lower belt levels.
Brazilian National Muay Thai champion.
Trains boxing and wrestling as part of her MMA skill set.

She earned valuable experience abroad. After early career gaps, she moved to Japan in 2017 to train and compete.

Ricci signed a three-fight deal with Legacy Fighting Alliance in 2020. She won all three bouts.

She credits LFA for providing opportunities during the COVID period. That run helped her reach the UFC.

This fight could alter Ricci’s trajectory in the strawweight division. A win would improve her standing among contenders.

She acknowledges the pressure but promises to give her best. Ricci reflects on her MMA journey as she prepares for her biggest fight.

Promotional posts from UFC accounts listed Ricci as a co-headliner for UFCVegas115. The event has drawn wide attention from fans.