Virna Jandiroba vs. Tabatha Ricci prediction, odds, pick for UFC Vegas 115

The UFC Vegas 115 Co-Foremost Event is here as we bring you a prediction and pick for an upcoming tilt within the top-10 of the Women’s Strawweight (115) Division. Fellow Brazilians meet as No. 3-ranked Virna Jandiroba takes on No. 7 Tabatha Ricci in a high-stakes bout between contenders. Check our UFC odds series for the Jandiroba-Ricci prediction and pick.

Virna Jandiroba (22-4) has gone 8-4 contained in the UFC since 2019, most recently dropping to Mackenzie Dern via unanimous decision for the interim title. Prior to that, she rode a five-fight winning streak and intends on making her case for one more shot on the belt. Jandiroba stands 5-foot-3 with a 64-inch reach.

Tabatha Ricci (12-3) is a powerful 7-3 contained in the UFC since 2021 after most recently beating Amanda Ribas inside the space her last outing. 2-1 in her prior three fights, Ricci will look to face her highest-ranked opponent with a likelihood to insert herself in title talks. Ricci stands 5-foot-1 with a 61-inch reach.

UFC Vegas 115 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC Vegas 115 Odds: Virna Jandiroba-Tabatha Ricci Odds

Virna Jandiroba: -130

Tabatha Ricci: +110

Over 2.5 rounds: -445

Under 2.5 rounds: +310

Why Virna Jandiroba Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Mackenzie Dern – U DEC
• Last 5: 4-1
• Finishes: 1 KO/TKO, 14 SUB

Virna Jandiroba was simply outplayed in a chess match versus Mackenzie Dern for the interim belt, falling behind on the striking and searching a step slow on the bottom where she’s typically most dominant. It was a troublesome matchup issue for Jandiroba as she gave all of it she had, but this bout against Ricci shall be way more suited to her form of smothering opponents and negating their offense.

With Ricci coming in as an energetic striker, Jandiroba will look to shut the space and tie her opponent up within the clinch as the marginally taller and longer fighter. Jandiroba can be extremely difficult to work with against the fence as she’s consistently pressuring opponents with level changes and dirty boxing from in close.

Jandiroba also can see an enormous advantage on the bottom if she’s capable of find yourself in a dominant position like side control or mount. Jandiroba is even effective from the half guard as she’s consistently working to higher her position without risking losing the superior angles. She’s fully intent on silencing Ricci’s striking, taking this fight to the bottom, and dominant rounds on the back of her control time.

Why Tabatha Ricci Will Win

• Last Fight: (W) Amanda Ribas – TKO (elbow, ground strikes, R2)
• Last 5: 3-2
• Finishes: 2 KO/TKO, 3 SUB

Tabatha Ricci looked like the perfect version of herself we have seen up so far, putting away a troublesome veteran like Amanda Ribas and bouncing back from her loss against Yan Xiaonan. After starting slow against Ribas’ quick pace, she turned things up within the second round and unleashed her full arsenal of kickboxing techniques. She can have to flex her grappling this time around, but Ricci is confident with three wins by submission and carrying no losses.

Ricci is landing almost double (4.18) significant strikes per minutes in comparison with Jandiroba (2.33) and he or she’ll likely be the fighter setting the pace from the opening round. Ricci has the cardio to go a full five rounds, however it actually won’t be easy if she’s consistently working to get back to her feet. Her takedown defense is a solid 78% opposite Jandiroba’s 37% takedown accuracy, so she should give you the chance to dictate where this fight takes place and where she’s most comfortable.

Still, Jandiroba is successful in executing her grappling plans as a rule, so it actually won’t be easy for Ricci to dominant within the striking, especially given Jandiroba’s strong defense from there as well. Ultimately, Ricci will must be spotless and limit her mistakes on the feet without losing time in Jandiroba’s control on the bottom.

Final Virna Jandiroba-Tabatha Ricci Prediction & Pick

Virna Jandiroba is trying to earn one other title shot after losing out on the interim belt her last outing, but this fight must be more of a litmus test to see whether Tabatha Ricci can hang in with the highest fighters of the division. She’s been on a fast rise through the ranks and a win her coupled with one other could give rise to a brand new title challenger.

Nonetheless, we all know exactly what we will get out of Jandiroba and if she’s capable of execute her typical game plan on the bottom, she’ll actually be the dominant side if Ricci is not capable of work her kickboxing on the feet. Expect a fast first takedown attempt from Jandiroba as she looks to check the strength of her opponent.

Virna Jandiroba will be the smart pick here as it’s miles too likely that Ricci will struggle to repeatedly stay on her feet. We’ll side with the most definitely final result here in Jandiroba taking this fight on the scorecards.

Final Virna Jandiroba-Tabatha Ricci Prediction & Pick: Virna Jandiroba (-130); OVER (-445)