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Tabatha Ricci has been a fighter with a lot of potential in the UFC women's strawweight division since making her debut in 2021. She has also gained attention for her nickname as well as the story behind it.
Her nickname is 'Baby Shark' and even though it would seem she got the nickname from the popular song of the same name, that's not the case. While speaking with Cageside Press, Ricci mentioned that one of her coaches gave her the nickname because of her stature.
"My coach at my jiu-jitsu gym gave me the name, because all the time I show up in the gym, I'm the smallest girl. And then I train [with] only the guys. That's why he said, 'Oh, the Baby Shark.'"
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'Baby Shark' seems fully committed to the nickname as she also brings a small shark stuffed animal to her press conferences. While discussing the song, she mentioned that it led to her receiving a mixed reaction to her nickname, saying:
"I think they don't like it [her nickname] because the music is so annoying. You hear it one time and you're singing it in your head until you go to sleep. It's crazy."
Ricci will look to extend her winning streak to three straight wins when she fights former UFC strawweight title challenger Jessica Penne this Saturday on the UFC 285 prelims.
Check out Tabatha Ricci's full interview below:
What is Tabatha Ricci's UFC record?
Tabatha Ricci joined the UFC in 2021 following an impressive tenure with the LFA. She joined the UFC with an unbeaten 5-0 MMA record and was immediately put to the test in her debut as she fought Manon Fiorot in a flyweight bout.
'Baby Shark's octagon debut didn't go according to plan as she lost via second-round TKO. It was the first loss of her MMA career, so she had to deal with adversity early in her UFC career.
Despite coming up short against Fiorot, 'Baby Shark' has since turned things around and has won back-to-back fights. She defeated Maria Oliveira and Polyana Viana via unanimous decision.
Earning a finish is more important from the fans' perspective and Ricci's first finish in the UFC came at UFC 285 when she defeated Jessica Penne via submission due to an armbar.
In her most recent outing, Tabatha Ricci defeated Gillian Robertson in June 2023. 'Baby Shark' will chase her fifth conscutive win against Lupita Godinez at UFC 295 PPV event on November 11.
