TLDR
- Fatima Kline defeated Tabatha Ricci via unanimous decision (30-27 on all scorecards) at UFC Oklahoma City
- Kline extended her winning streak to four fights while Ricci dropped to 7-5 in the UFC
- Ricci has now lost three of her last four fights after starting her UFC career 4-1
- Kline dominated with superior grappling, defending multiple takedowns and landing heavy right hands
- Ricci posted on Instagram that she will “take care of myself and be back” following the loss
Sources: sports.yahoo.com | sports.yahoo.com
Fatima Kline earned the biggest victory of her career on Saturday night, defeating Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision at UFC Oklahoma City. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 in favor of Kline.
The strawweight bout took place on the main card at Paycom Center. Ricci entered the fight ranked No. 7 in the division, while Kline held the No. 14 spot.
Kline came into the fight riding a three-fight winning streak. Ricci was looking to rebound from a decision loss to No. 2 ranked Virna Jandiroba.
Fight Breakdown
Ricci started aggressively in the first round, pressuring Kline and attempting an early takedown. Kline defended the attempt and eventually gained top position after Ricci threw her to the canvas.
Kline took Ricci down with a double-leg later in the round. Despite Ricci’s early aggression, Kline controlled most of the opening frame.
The second round saw more of the same pattern. Ricci pressed forward and attempted multiple takedowns, but Kline consistently defended and reversed position.
Fatima Kline is TOSSING Tabatha Ricci 😳
📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/AgQJnUG4qx
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 19, 2026
Kline landed several right hands throughout the round. She took Ricci’s back in the closing seconds and attempted a rear-naked choke.
Kline opened the third round with a heavy right hand that set the tone. She executed a suplex takedown on Ricci early in the final frame.
Ricci continued to fight back and secured a takedown with less than a minute remaining. Kline immediately scrambled free and reversed position, mounting Ricci as the final bell rang.
Kline landed her right hand repeatedly throughout the fight. Ricci struggled to implement her game plan against Kline’s superior grappling and striking.
Ricci Responds to Loss
Following the defeat, Ricci posted a message on her Instagram stories. “This is the fight game! Thank you everyone for the love. I’m going to take care of myself and be back,” she wrote.
The loss dropped Ricci to 7-5 in the UFC. She has now lost three of her last four fights inside the octagon.
Ricci started her UFC career strong with a 4-1 record. She previously earned wins over Gillian Robertson and Amanda Ribas.
The 31-year-old Brazilian fighter is expected to drop several spots in the rankings. She entered the bout ranked No. 7 but lost to a fighter ranked seven spots below her.
Kline’s victory extends her winning streak to four fights. The win positions her to move up in the strawweight rankings.
At 31 years old, Ricci faces an uncertain future in the competitive strawweight division. She may be matched against lower-ranked fighters in her next bout.
Potential future opponents for Ricci include Alexia Thainara or Jaqueline Amorim. Both fighters would provide different stylistic challenges for the Brazilian.
Kline demonstrated superior grappling throughout the fight. She successfully defended multiple takedown attempts while securing several of her own.
The unanimous decision marked Kline’s fourth consecutive victory. She proved she belongs among the top contenders in the strawweight division with her performance against a top-10 opponent.
