Amanda Ribas has become one of the UFC’s most promising rising stars, captivating fans with her infectious personality and impressive skill set. Hailing from Brazil, Ribas quickly made a name for herself with dominant performances and a well-rounded fighting style that blends striking, grappling, and relentless energy inside the octagon.
Since her debut in 2019, she has taken on tough opponents, consistently showcasing her resilience and determination. However, her rise to the top has to be credited a lot to the team working behind her. In this article, we cover everything about her coaches and her team and how she became a top-class fighter.
Meet Marcos DaMatta, Amanda Ribas’ coach
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Amanda Ribas is among the many talented Brazilian fighters who are a part of the UFC. She was born in Varginha, a municipality in the southwestern region of Minas Gerais. Known for its vibrant coffee industry, her hometown is a key hub for commerce and coffee production in Brazil. She began her martial arts journey at an early age, inspired by her father Marcelo Ribas, a judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Under his guidance, she honed her skills and eventually earned a spot on one of Brazil’s national judo youth teams.
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She now trains under the watchful eyes of Marcos DaMatta who has helped take her game to the next level. Marcos da Matta, widely recognized as ‘Parrumpinha’ or ‘Parrumpa,’ was a standout Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu super featherweight during the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning medals at the world championship level. A black belt under Carlson Gracie, he later joined the American Top Team, where he established himself as one of the most respected grappling coaches in the world. The legendary coach rates Ribas very highly as he has seen her grow in her journey for a long time.
During one of his interviews, he said, “Absolutely, she’s one of American Top Team’s future champions – that we really believe,”. “The reason I say that is not because I train her. It’s just because she has the full package. She’s a good striker, she’s an awesome judo player, she has good jiu-jitsu, amazing attitude, charisma, and the list goes on and on.” Ribas is all set to take on Mackenzie Dern for the second time in her career. While we do know her coaches, now where does the 31-year-old train?
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Which Gym does Amanda Ribas train at?
Amanda Ribas, one of the brightest rising stars in the UFC, trains at the renowned American Top Team (ATT), located in Coconut Creek, Florida. Known as one of the most prestigious mixed martial arts gyms in the world, ATT has been a training ground for countless UFC champions and elite fighters, providing Ribas with the perfect environment to sharpen her skills and elevate her career. American Top Team is celebrated for its world-class facilities, diverse roster of athletes, and exceptional coaching staff specializing in all aspects of MMA.
Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas, two standout competitors in the UFC women’s strawweight division, were scheduled to face off once more at UFC on ESPN 63/UFC Tampa on December 14. However, according to multiple reports online, the bout has now been scheduled for January 11, 2025. The location? The UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada. The fight will be the headliner bout for the first UFC card of the year and the fans are looking forward to it. The Brazilian fighter will look to prove the words of her coach right and put up a show for the fans in 2025.
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Both Dern and Ribas have faced challenges with consistency, sharing identical recent records of 3-4. A victory in this matchup could revive their hopes for a title run, while a defeat might push them further from the spotlight. Do you think she can once again win her fight with Mackenize Dern at UFC Fight Night next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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