Manon Fiorot vs Tabatha Ricci Prediction

Fight is at 125 lbs and is -195 to end inside the distance. 

Note: With the last minute nature of the opponent change for Manon Fiorot, we are still awaiting prop and fight lines for this matchup. 

✅ Tabatha Ricci was tabbed late Wednesday to replace Maryna Moroz, who had to pull out of the fight due to travel issues to the United States. Ricci steps in up a weight class and in a completely unideal spot, but it does get her foot in the door to the UFC. Ricci is a grappling specialist with black belts in both judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She is notably a primary training partner of Mackenzie Dern, so she at least has some level of understanding of what to expect from a UFC strawweight. That said, she is fighting a true flyweight and will be the much smaller fighter, and will be giving up a large strength advantage. That will be a key as she will need to get this fight to the mat if she is to have any level of competitiveness in it. On the feet, she will be completely out of her depth in terms of both ability and power. This is even before considering the 6” of height and 3” of reach she will be giving up. The level of competition she has faced to date is likely an issue as well. Her five opponents are a combined 4-10-1 in their careers, and the leap in competition simply cannot be understated. 

✅ Manon Fiorot is a powerful and impressive striker, that has worked on rounding her game out. She was quite impressive in her UFC debut, scoring a second round KO of Victoria Leonardo. In fact, her last four fights have all ended via KO and she is showing no signs of doing anything but picking up steam. She will have her way in the standup portion of this fight. Ricci will have no answer striking, and Fiorot will just simply have to be aware that she needs to keep the fight standing, and it will belong to her for as long as it lasts. 

✅ This fight truly seems so lopsided, the -500 opener was surprising at face value, but I truly understand it. Now, we are not playing a fighter at -500, but the KO is oh so likely to come, we will absolutely play Fiorot ITD once that line is released. Anything at -170 or under will be acceptable.