TAMPA, Fla. – Amanda Ribas is still cautious about anything she ingests following her strange episode with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Ribas (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was flagged by USADA for taking a banned substance in June 2017, which took away nearly two years of her career. Toward the suspension’s, her claims of innocence were proven right, and she was cleared for competition shortly thereafter.
The Brazilian won her return fight in June, and now she gets a big opportunity against Mackenzie Dern (7-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 19. Ribas said she’s excited for the fight, but throughout camp has been extra cautious about anything she eats or drinks.
“When I still open a water I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness,'” Ribas told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at UFC on ESPN+ 19 open workouts. “I think (about it). But USADA gives me all the support. They give me apps to put the supplements, so it’s good to have this.”
UFC on ESPN+ 19 takes place at Amalie Center, with the card set to stream on ESPN+.
Click on the video linked above o hear Ribas talk more about her USADA situation, the fight with Dern, her UFC aspirations and more.
