Since making her UFC debut in 2021, Tabatha "Baby Shark" Ricci has quickly become a formidable force in the strawweight division. Despite facing a tough start by stepping up on short notice and moving up a weight class to face France’s Manon Fiorot at 125 pounds—a bout she lost in the second round—Ricci rebounded impressively upon returning to her natural 115-pound division. She embarked on a dominant four-fight winning streak before encountering a setback against Loopy Godinez last November at Madison Square Garden.

Now, three years into her UFC journey, Ricci reflects on her evolution as a fighter.

"I've been learning a lot," Ricci shares. "Understanding what's effective for me and what isn't has been crucial. Having the same dedicated team since the beginning has allowed us to grow together on this journey. We're continuously improving and learning from each experience."

Ricci regained her momentum with a hard-fought split decision victory over Tecia Pennington earlier this year in St. Louis. This Saturday, she faces one of her most seasoned opponents yet: Angela Hill, a veteran who brings a wealth of experience and a shared history with Ricci into the Octagon at the UFC APEX.

Angela Hill's resume speaks for itself. Debuting in the UFC back in 2014 against Emily Kagan, Hill has earned four Fight of the Night bonuses and one Performance of the Night bonus throughout her career. As a former Invicta FC strawweight champion, she holds the record for the most wins (11) and most fights (24) in UFC strawweight history.

For Ricci, sharing the cage with Hill is not just another fight—it's a significant milestone.

"It was an honor to train with Angela, and now facing her in the cage is a huge step in my career," Ricci expresses. "I feel truly honored to compete against someone of her caliber, and I'm excited to showcase my skills against such a respected opponent."

With Hill currently ranked No. 9 and Ricci just outside the top 10 at No. 11, this matchup carries significant implications for the strawweight division's landscape. A victory for Ricci could catapult her into the coveted top 10 rankings, edging her closer to title contention.

Despite her recent win over Pennington, Ricci isn't resting on her laurels and seeks to deliver an even more compelling performance in this co-main event.

"I'm still striving to step into the cage and fully immerse myself in the fight, finding that perfect zone where everything clicks," Ricci explains. "As you climb higher in the rankings, the competition gets tougher, making it challenging to find that flow. The fight with Tecia was close, but I believe I did enough to secure the win. Against Angela, I'm feeling confident and ready to showcase my best."

At 29 years old, Ricci acknowledges that the path ahead will only present tougher challenges, but she embraces the pressure as a driving force in her pursuit of greatness.

Don't miss a moment of the action at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho, live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 24, 2024. Prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, followed by the main card live on ESPN & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Witness as Tabatha Ricci attempts to make a statement and break into the top 10 against veteran Angela Hill in what promises to be an electrifying showdown.

More from UFC

Subscribe to Black Belt +

Sign Up for Newsletter