UFC Macau: Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci: Live round-by-round updates
The UFC Macau Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci round-by-round updates are here. Fans will be treated to real-time coverage and live scoring of the upcoming women's strawweight bout set to co-main UFC Macau, which starts at 3:00 AM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 12:00 AM P.T. (Pacific Time).
The two women are expected to be inside the octagon by 6:20 AM E.T. / 3:20 AM P.T. Their bout is notable for representing one of the largest disparities in rankings between two opponents in recent memory. Yan is ranked #2 in the division, while Ricci just broke into the top 10 at exactly #10.
It is a step down in competition for Yan, who is coming off a recent women's strawweight title fight loss to reigning champion and fellow countrywoman Zhang Weili. However, she has always been successful against Brazilian opposition, knocking out Jéssica Andrade and beating Cláudia Gadelha and Viviane Pereira.
For Ricci, it is an opportunity of a lifetime. She is currently on a two-fight win streak, having beaten Angela Hill and Tecia Pennington. A win over a former title challenger and the #2 ranked strawweight in the world will surely set her up for a title shot. Unfortunately, she isn't expected to win.
Yan is a -198 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Ricci is a +164 underdog according to the oddsmakers.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the women's strawweight fight.
UFC Macau: Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci
Round 1: Yan starts off on the front foot, with Ricci circling around her, maintaining her distance. Yan lands with her jab and follows up with a right straight to the body. A right cross lands upstairs. Riccci is yet to do anything of consequence, eating a hard inside low kick.
A stiff right cross lands for Yan, splitting Ricci's guard. She lands it again and Ricci shoots for a takedown, but Yan stuffs it fairly easily. They separate and Yan blasts her midsection with a sidekick. Ricci stings her with a jab, but Yan lands a right hand over the top. One-two for Yan.
A front kick lands for Yan, who follows up with a round kick to the body. Ricci shoots for another takedown but Yan stuffs it again. 10-9 Yan
Round 2: Yan opens with a left hook to the body, but Ricci scores with a low kick. Yan cracks her with a combination off the backfoot that appears to sting her. She tries to pounce but Ricci ducks under for an easy double-leg takedown. She briefly takes Yan's back, but Yan quickly scrambles to her feet.
A one-two lands for Yan, snapping Ricci's head back. It's clear that Ricci has nothing on the feet for Yan. Her only hope is to get the fight to the ground. Another hard one-two lands for Yan, who sends Ricci stumbling back. Ricci throws a low kick but gets countered over the top by a combination from Yan.
Jabs for Yan to the body and the head. Another one-two finds a home for Yan, who follows up with yet another one. Ricci has a poor sense of distance, kicking ahead of herself and getting countered by one-twos whenever he kicking leg is airborne. Ricci shoots for a takedown but has to settle for pinning Yan to the fence. 10-9 Yan
Round 3: Both women feint level changes before Yan explodes with a combination. Ricci tries to do the same but is countered on her way in. A jab to the body lands for Yan, who comes over the top with a right hand. An inside low kick lands for Yan.
Another right cross cracks Ricci on the chin. Yan varies her shot selection, landing a check hook in quick succession as Ricci ups the aggression, likely aware that she's down on the scorecards. More check hoos from Yan, who briefly stumbles Ricci. Yan returns to combinations, stopping Ricci in her tracks.
Two body jabs land for Yan, and Ricci shoots for another failed takedown. Yan keeps blasting her foe's body with right straights and jabs. Ricci tries to march her down but eats a one-two from Yan, who follows up with a spinning heel kick to end the round. 10-9 Yan
Official Decision: Yan Xiaonan def. Tabatha Ricci via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)