Tabatha Ricci

Tabatha Ricci Fabri Salto is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's women's strawweight division. As of June 2026, she is ranked #7 in the official UFC rankings. A judo black belt with a background in Thai boxing, Ricci has built a reputation as a relentless grappler with a suffocating top game and slick submissions. She is known for her tenacious fighting style, characterized by persistent pressure and proficient submission skills.[edit]

Born on February 21, 1995, in Brazil, Ricci began her combat sports journey in judo, where she achieved a black belt. Her early training also included Thai boxing, adding striking versatility to her grappling foundation. In 2015, she made the pivotal decision to transition from judo competition to professional mixed martial arts, marking the first steps toward her career. She fought in regional promotions in Brazil, honing her skills and building a record before catching the attention of larger organizations.[edit]

Ricci made her professional MMA debut in 2015. She earned a UFC contract in 2021 after a win over Maria Oliveira on Dana White's Contender Series. Ricci made her official UFC debut in 2022. Since joining the UFC, she has established a solid record within the strawweight division, with notable victories including wins over Polyana Viana and Gillian Robertson. Her fighting style is characterized by a suffocating top game and proficient submission skills, with multiple opponents having been finished via rear-naked choke. As of June 2026, she is ranked #7 in the division. Her career milestones include beginning professional MMA in 2015, securing a UFC contract in 2021, making her UFC debut in 2022, and achieving the #7 ranking in June 2026.[edit]

Ricci is known for her tenacious, grappling-heavy fighting style, often described as relentless and suffocating. Media coverage highlights her judo background and submission prowess. Her public persona reflects discipline and dedication, typical of a professional fighter. She engages with fans on Instagram (@tabatha.ricci) and X (@TabathaRicci), sharing training updates and fight announcements. A specific fandom name has not been identified.[edit]

Tabatha Ricci operates as a ranked professional athlete within the global mixed martial arts landscape, yet she currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated her profile and determined that she does not occupy a specific numeric rank among the world's most famous individuals as of August 2026. Her public presence is defined by a solid following among Brazilian supporters and general MMA enthusiasts rather than a distinct, organized movement with a formal name. While her nickname Baby Shark serves as a recognizable brand identifier for her energetic style, it functions as a moniker for the fighter herself and not as a label for a dedicated fanbase. There are no records of organized campaigns, such as streaming parties or fan-funded projects, that distinguish her support structure from standard athletic engagement. Ricci maintains a direct connection with approximately 300,000 Instagram followers through training updates and fight preparations, but these interactions remain within the realm of typical athlete-fan communication. Her recent career narrative, including high-stakes matchups against top-ranked opponents and the challenges of short camps, generates standard coverage and betting interest without crossing into viral folklore or cultural mythology. Unlike icons who drive grassroots movements, her influence remains tied to her performance in the octagon and her reputation for resilience within the strawweight division.[edit]

Ricci blends technical judo with Thai boxing, emphasizing grappling and submissions while pursuing a degree in physiotherapy alongside her fighting career. She transitioned from judo to MMA in 2015 and quickly adapted her ground game to the cage, finishing multiple opponents via rear-naked choke. A persistent story associated with her persona is the nickname Baby Shark, which reflects her youthful energy and appears in her social media handles. In April 2026, she faced a top-ranked opponent at UFC Vegas 115, suffering a loss that became a key moment in her trajectory. Later that year, on July 18, she fought Fatima Kline in Oklahoma City, where a short camp narrative emerged after only a month of preparation due to a personnel swap. Despite describing the timing as perfect, she lost the bout, ending hopes of securing a title fight backup position. These competitive milestones define her current lore more than any mythologized incidents, as she navigates the brutal reality of the strawweight division without the backing of a distinct, named fandom or extraordinary crowd disruptions.[edit]

Tabatha Ricci was born in Brazil and maintains a private personal life. Details about her parents, siblings, or children are not publicly available. She is currently focused on her fighting career and education.[edit]

Ricci has faced notable opponents including Maria Oliveira (Contender Series), Polyana Viana, and Gillian Robertson in the UFC. These fights have helped establish her position in the strawweight division.[edit]

Information regarding Tabatha Ricci's specific dating history and romantic relationships is not publicly available. As of the latest available information in 2026, her relationship status is not publicly disclosed, and there are no confirmed public partners or ongoing relationships reported. She keeps her personal life private.[edit]

Estimates for Tabatha Ricci's net worth as of 2026 are not available in the provided search results, though research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts the figure at $500 Thousand. Her primary source of income is her professional mixed martial arts career, including fight purses, performance bonuses, and potential sponsorship deals. As a ranked fighter, she earns base pay per fight plus potential win bonuses and performance bonuses. She also has endorsement deals with brands related to fighting and fitness. Her net worth has grown steadily since joining the UFC in 2022.[edit]