Amanda Ribas defeated Paige VanZant at UFC 251 in what would be PVZ’s final fight in the league before trying free agency and signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. During a recent appearance on the What the Heck podcast, Ribas revealed that the woman she prepared for is now helping her prepare for a fight vs. Marina Rodriguez at UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 on January 24 on Fight Island, Abu Dhabi.
It’s really different because my last camp was to fight against her, and now she’s helping me in this camp, and I’m helping her for her [BKFC] boxing, said Ribas. It’s cool. It’s amazing and we can show everybody that it’s professional. I’m not mad at her, she’s not mad at me. It’s professional.
If she can help me, yes she will. If I can help her, I will help her. We are martial artists. We’re artists, not just crazy people throwing punches at each other. We are athletes. It’s amazing.
VanZant is switching to a new sport – bare-knuckle boxing. She will headline her first pay-per-view event on February 5. vs. boxing and BKFC veteran Britain Hart at ‘KnuckleMania’ on Super Bowl weekend at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida.
She’s a really smart girl,” said Ribas. “She has a really big heart and, I think for her, it will be good because no one who has a weak heart, or is a little scared, can fight like that without gloves. For her, I think it will be a big step to get money because they pay her really good. I think it will be really good.
What do you think UG? What do you think about former foes training together, and what other examples are there? How do you think Ribas does vs. Rodriguez. And will you be watching PVZ’s debut?
h/t Clyde Aidoo for MMA News
