The UFC Macau co-main event on Saturday featured a fight between former title challenger and second-ranked strawweight contender Yan Xiaonan and tenth-ranked Tabatha Ricci.
Xiaonan last fought at UFC 300 in April, losing to champion Zhang Weili via unanimous decision. “Fury” was looking to get back in the win column. Ricci entered the fight on a two-fight winning streak with an opportunity to jump in the rankings.
Ricci circled on the outside. Xiaonan landed first with a jab. Xiaonan kept her right hand locked and loaded next to her cheek. Ricci briefly changed levels but the fight remained standing. Xiaonan connected with a right hand. Xiaonan began to move forward. She delivered a right hand to the body and starting mixing in more kicks. Xiaonan unloaded a combination. Ricci wasn’t able to find her range in the opening round. Xiaonan looked sharp. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Xiaonan.
Xiaonan came out targeting the body of Ricci in the second frame. She connected with a hard right hand that may have hurt Ricci. Ricci drove forward and secured a takedown but couldn’t keep Xiaonan grounded. Ricci connected with a right hand on the break. She followed up with another right hand. Xiaonan responded with a combination. Xiaonan continued to target the body. Ricci landed a counter right hand. Xiaonan answered with a. combination. After an exchange, Ricci drove forward and clinched. MMAWeekly score the round 10-9 for Xiaonan.
Ricci’s corner urged her to blitz and change levels. She listened and walked into a clean right hand. Ricci pressed forward but Xiaonan landed another right hand. Xiaonan connected with a right hand that wobbled Ricci. Xiaonan doubled up on jabs to the body. Ricci was largely unable to close the distance. Every time she stepped in the pocket she was met with punches. They traded right hands. Xiaonan went high with a kick that landed. The fight went the distance. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Xiaonan.
The judges scored the fight for Xiaonan via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27.
