Marina
Rodriguez has agreed to replace Michelle
Waterson and meet Amanda
Ribas at
UFC 257 on Jan. 23.
Multiple outlets confirmed the new strawweight booking following an
initial report from
Ag Fight. A reason for Waterson’s withdrawal is currently
unknown. UFC 257 is expected to take place on Yas Island in Abu
Dhabi and is headlined by a lightweight clash between Conor
McGregor and Dustin
Poirier.
Rodriguez is 2-2-1 to begin her UFC tenure, with victories over
Tecia
Torres and Jessica
Aguilar. Most recently, the 33-year-old Thai Brasil product
dropped a split decision to Carla
Esparza at UFC on ESPN 14 that many observers thought she
deserved to win.
The 27-year-old Ribas has emerged as a budding star at 115 pounds
with victories in her first four Octagon appearances. Ribas went
2-0 in 2020, taking a decision over Randa
Markos at UFC Fight Night 170 and submitting Paige
VanZant in the opening stanza at UFC 251.