UFC on ESPN 3 rookie report: Grading the newcomers in Minneapolis

Fighters from around the globe dream of the day they’ll step into the UFC octagon for the first time. For four athletes, Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 3 event marked that special moment in their career.

Check out this week’s rookie report to see what kind of first impression those fighters made on the sport’s biggest stage from Target Center in Minneapolis.

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Amanda Ribas

Division: Strawweight
Result: Amanda Ribas def. Emily Whitmire via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:10
Record: (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Grade: A

Amanda Ribas’ UFC debuted was delayed by an incident with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, but she certainly made the most of her first in-cage impression, attacking Emily Whitmire from the opening bell and keeping the pressure high until she was able to get the second-round finish.

A black belt in both judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Ribas’ grappling chops are undeniable. Her swarming transitions saw her move immediately to dangerous positions, leaving her opponent under intense danger at every turn. But Ribas also showed that she’s not an old-school grappling artist, happily slugging away on the feet to advance her position into the clinch, where she was able to take the action to the canvas with relative ease.

Top top it all off, Ribas – an admitted “white belt in English” – gave an absolutely incredible post-fight interview, full of energy and just enough humor, admitting her biggest fear of the week was the official weigh-in “because I’m a little bit fat and I love chocolate.”

Ribas did allow Whitmire a bit of top control in the opening round after missing on a choke attempt, but she escaped with minimal damage. Keep an eye on this one.