With Gillian Robertson holding the record for the most submissions in UFC women’s history, Tabatha Ricci expects to face a variety of challenges when they meet at UFC Jacksonville on Saturday. Possessing a black belt in jiu-jitsu and judo, Ricci has won all three of her UFC strawweight fights, with her most recent victory being over Jessica Penne.

Ricci acknowledged that Robertson has a solid reputation, having secured a 65-second rear-naked choke win over Rose Namajunas at a Fury Pro grappling event last December. However, Ricci noted that grappling matches differ from MMA fights, and she has prepared herself for every scenario.

Ricci anticipates that Robertson will aim to take her down to the mat, given that it is the latter’s standard fighting style. Nevertheless, Ricci is confident in her ground game, as she possesses a jiu-jitsu and judo background. She feels that, unlike Robertson, she hasn’t gone up against a jiu-jitsu master with her level of experience and considers this factor an advantage.

Moreover, despite Robertson’s numerous submissions, Ricci plans to try to finish the fight by submission as well. She believes that the upcoming bout will increase her prominence in the rankings, but she is not in a hurry to pursue the championship.