Yan Xiaonan Beats Tabatha Ricci at UFC Macau
Tabatha “Baby Shark” Ricci arrived at UFC Macau on November 23, 2024, looking to extend her rise in the strawweight division. She faced former title challenger Yan Xiaonan on the main card, but Yan’s experience and striking carried the night: all three judges scored the bout 30-27 for Yan.
A tough test against Yan Xiaonan
The Macau matchup was a step up in opposition for Ricci, who entered with consecutive UFC wins over Tecia Pennington and Angela Hill. Yan used her boxing and movement to control the three-round contest, earning a unanimous decision. The result ended Ricci’s winning run, while giving her valuable rounds against a proven contender.
Ricci’s response and recent results
Ricci responded with a strong performance against Amanda Ribas at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025, stopping her with strikes at 2:59 of the second round. She then faced Virna Jandiroba in April 2026 and lost a unanimous decision. In her most recent bout, on July 18, 2026, Ricci again went the distance but lost a unanimous decision to Fatima Kline.
Where the strawweight stands
Ricci’s run has included setbacks against experienced opponents as well as a statement finish over a former title challenger. The UFC lists her at 12-5 and ranked No. 11 in the strawweight division. Her next step will be to build on the Ribas win and return to the form that carried her into the rankings. The Macau fight remains a clear marker of the level she is working to reach: sustained success against the division’s top names.
