Amanda Ribas hopes win over Randa Markos leads to Paige VanZant fight being rebooked

Amanda Ribas still hopes to get the opportunity to face one of the sport’s biggest stars.

Ribas (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) originally was scheduled to fight Paige VanZant on Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 28, but an injury forced VanZant out, and she was replaced by Randa Markos.

Markos is one of the most experienced strawweights on the roster, and while Ribas may have missed out on the opportunity to face VanZant, she’s fully focused on the task at hand.

However, she does hope that a win over Markos leads to a rescheduled bout with VanZant.

“Hopefully, with a victory and no injuries, I’d still like to face Paige VanZant,” Ribas told MMA Junkie. “I think it’d be a great fight for both of us and for the UFC. But my current focus is only on Randa.

“People had been asking me if I was worried that Paige VanZant, a high-profile fighter, dropped out. I was worried, but only about the fact that I didn’t have an opponent. About two days later, I was booked against Randa. So, that’s where my complete focus is now. I’m getting ready to put on a show.”

Ribas got a taste of what it’s like to face a notable name last October when she upset the highly touted MacKenzie Dern, knocking her from the ranks of the unbeaten. Now Ribas will look to make it 3-0 in the UFC against a strong grappler and always game “Ultimate Fighter” veteran Markos.

“Randa is very strategic,” Ribas said. “My plan is to do my game and not fall into hers. I think that’s her main weapon – she’s a strategist. She’s very strong and experienced. She’s often able to nullify her opponents’ strong points. I’m training to keep that from happening.

“Expect a highly exciting fight. Amanda Ribas is coming at full force. When you have a dream, and you work hard for it, it doesn’t matter where you come from. What matters is your willpower and positivity. Things will work out for the best.”

UFC on ESPN+ 28 takes at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. The card is expected to stream on ESPN+.