Paddy Pimblett and Dillon Danis among MMA stars stunned by sensational spinning kick KO at UFC Vegas 82
Amanda Ribas impressed some of the biggest stars in MMA with her highlight-reel knockout win at UFC Vegas 82.
The popular strawweight contender didn’t have things all her own way when she fought her former roommate, Luana Pinheiro, at the UFC Apex on Saturday night.
By the end of round one, Ribas was bruised and bloodied after enduring relentless attacks from her opponent who was riding a nine-fight win streak.
The 30-year-old adjusted in the following frame and worked her way into what proved to be one of the most exciting fights on the UFC’s latest card.
In round three, Ribas uncorked a spinning back kick that connected flush on the jaw of Pinheiro who incredibly managed to stay on her feet after eating the blow.
However, moments later she was taken out by a series of follow-up shots.
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Dazed and confused, Pinheiro was bundled to the floor by a two-punch combination before eating ground strikes that forced the referee to call the fight off.
UFC fighters rushed to social media to praise Ribas for her performance.
Paddy Pimblett said: “What a scrap that was! Brilliant finish by Amanda Ribas there she’s earned that 50g bonus! She got that dawggggg in her.”
Sean O’Malley simply tweeted: “Sheeeesh.”
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Dillon Danis added: “So beautiful what a kick!”
Marlon Vera commented: “Crazy come back.”
Ribas celebrated her latest win by sending a message to her 115lb rivals.
“Strawweight division, I’m back,” she shouted afterwards.
Naturally, Ribas earned a $50,000 (£40,138) Performance of the Night bonus following her sensational KO victory over a rising star who hadn’t lost since March 2017.
The Brazilian will be hoping her win will start another title run.
Ribas began her career as a 10-1 prospect before suffering a shocking TKO defeat against Marina Rodriguez in January 2021 and subsequently deciding to move up a division.
After losing two of her three fights at flyweight, Ribas returned to her natural weight class, picked up arguably a career-best win and paved the way for a strawweight title charge in 2024.