UFC 257 live blog: Marina Rodriguez vs. Amanda Ribas

This is the UFC 257 live blog for Marina Rodriguez vs. Amanda Ribas, a strawweight main card bout on Saturday’s fight card at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Rodriguez has not won in the octagon since August 2019, when she outpointed Tecia Torres at UFC Uruguay. Her most recent pair of appearances ended in a draw to Cynthia Calvillo and a loss to Carla Esparza, respectively. Ribas, meanwhile, has won four straight in the octagon, most recently submitting Paige VanZant in the first round at UFC 251.

Check out the UFC 257 live blog below.

Round 1: Herb Dean is the third person in the cage for this main card opener. Ribas comes out applying pressure early and Rodriguez is looking to play the matador and circle away. A minute in and Ribas has been unable to corral Rodriguez. She’s not really cutting off the cage and Rodriguez is landing some counters and moving in.

Rodriguez overextends on a shot and Ribas grabs a clinch and drives Rodriguez to the mat. Rodriguez tries to roll and now the two are locked in a funky position with Rodriguez almost having the back but Ribas on top and blocking with an arm. Eventually Ribas is able to pivot Rodriguez around and now Ribas is in Rodriguez’s full guard with half the round left to work.

Ribas is trying to land shots but Rodriguez is doing a good job of minimizing damage. She’s not getting up though. Again Rodriguez tries to shift away to the back but Ribas stuffs it. Now Rodriguez goes for a body triangle from the bottom but Ribas is on a can opener that is getting a reaction. Ribas releases it to start dropping some shots and Rodriguez just eats them. Not a ton of damage from Ribas on top but consistent work that likely wins her the round.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Ribas.

Round 2: In the corner, Rodriguez’s coaches tell her she lost the round and needs to keep moving and not get taken down. Solid advice given how little trouble Ribas had with her on the floor. Round 2 starts much the same as the first though with Ribas closing the distance and Rodriguez is throwing a lot of feints. Ribas tries to force a clinch but can’t get it and Rodriguez lands some shots on the separation.

OH! Rodriguez lands a big right hand as Ribas steps in that drops Ribas! Ribas is in a world of trouble! Rodriguez is on top and hammering shots with Ribas barely hanging on in turtle. Herb Dean is close to stopping it and it looks like Herb Dean touches Rodriguez. Rodriguez certainly thinks so and steps away with her hands raised. Ribas gets up but Dean confirms he did not stop the fight and so Rodriguez steps right back in. Ribas is still on rubber legs and a big right hand clocks her, causing Dean to stop the fight with Ribas still standing.

OFFICIAL DECISION: Marina Rodriguez stops Amanda Ribas with punches at 54 seconds of Round 2.