MMA
Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer 4y

Paige VanZant, Amanda Ribas agree to UFC flyweight bout July 11, sources say

MMA, UFC

Paige VanZant and Amanda Ribas have agreed to a UFC flyweight bout on July 11 at an undisclosed location, sources confirmed to ESPN.

The matchup was originally booked for March 14 in Brazil, but VanZant (8-4) was forced to withdraw because of an arm injury. Ribas (9-1) remained on the March 14 event and defeated Randa Markos, VanZant's replacement, via unanimous decision.

The initial matchup between VanZant and Ribas was scheduled to take place in the 115-pound strawweight division. This new date will take place at 125 pounds.

The UFC has not released details on a July 11 event, but the date was originally reserved for a pay-per-view event, before the promotion's 2020 schedule was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Brazilian news outlet Combate first reported the fight.

In a social media post Thursday, VanZant hinted the event would take place at "an island near you," a likely reference to UFC president Dana White's mysterious Fight Island.

The fight is set to be the last one on VanZant's exclusive UFC contract. The 26-year-old has fought exclusively in the UFC since 2014, amassing an overall record of 5-3. She has just one appearance in the past two years due to arm injuries. She is coming off a decision win against Rachael Ostovich.

Ribas, 26, is considered one of the best new prospects at 115 pounds. The Brazilian fighter is 3-0 since signing with the UFC in 2019, with wins over Emily Whitmire, Mackenzie Dern and Markos.

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