UFC 251: Amanda Ribas sends Paige VanZant to free agency with embarrassing loss

Amanda Ribas submits pending free agent Paige VanZant at UFC 251.

Amanda Ribas defeated Paige VanZant via submission (armbar), Round 1 – 2:21 at UFC 251 on Saturday, July 11, 2020, live from Fight Island on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, AUE.

Ribas extends her winning ways in the UFC, while VanZant heads into free agency off this first-round defeat.

Here’s how the fight played out.

Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant round 1

The two meet in the center. Low kick from Ribas. VanZant circling on the outside. Low kick from PVZ, which is checked. Body shot by Ribas, who’s cutting off the cage well. Body kick by Ribas. Combination by Ribas. PVZ gets in the clinch. Ribas reverses the position against the cage wall. Ribas manages to take VanZant down with a head-and-arm throw! Ribas working in side control. VanZant is already busted open. A few shots to the head by Ribas. PVZ has an underhook but Ribas still in side control. Ribas steps over and she tries for the armbar. She’s rolling. She’s got VanZant down and Ribas is on her belly. She’s trying to twist the arm. VanZant taps. Ribas with a first-round submission win.

Ribas won six of her first seven MMA bouts, with the only loss coming to fellow UFC fighter Polyana Viana. She was scheduled to make her UFC debut in 2017 but a run-in with USADA forced her to the sidelines for two years. Ribas made her debut last year with a submission over Emily Whitmire, and she enters this fight off back-to-back decision wins over Mackenzie Dern and Randa Markos.

VanZant won three of her first four MMA fights, the only loss in that span coming to fellow UFC veteran Tecia Torres, before getting the call for the UFC. VanZant won her first three bouts in the Octagon against Kailin Curran, Felice Herrig and Alex Chambers before a loss to Rose Namajunas. VanZant then beat Bec Rawlings before losses to Michelle Waterson and Jessica Rose-Clark. Dealing with various injuries, VanZant’s most recent fight prior to tonight came at UFC Brooklyn last year, where she submitted Rachael Ostovich.

UFC 251 takes place on Saturday, July 11, 2020, live from Fight Island on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Follow along with FanSided for all your live news and highlights.