UFC matchmakers added a strawweight bout between Michelle Waterson and Amanda Ribas to the UFC 257 fight card. The ladies will meet inside the octagon on January 23.

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier are set to headline UFC 257

In September, Waterson beat Angela Hill by a controversial split decision and cut off a 2-fights losing streak. Michelle moved up to sixth place in the UFC strawweight rankings but dropped out of the championship race. Ribas has a whopping 5-bouts winning streak. She defeated Randa Markos and Paige VanZant this year and was ranked ninth at strawweight.

Michelle earned a black belt in karate and a brown – in BJJ. Amanda got black belts in BJJ and judo. Therefore, Waterson is likely to have an advantage on the feet, while Ribas will probably outperform her opponent on the ground. According to matchup stats, Amanda lands 32% more strikes and absorbs 58% less shots. Furthermore, Michelle performs takedowns 33% less frequently and makes almost half as many submission attempts. Given these factors, Ribas will open as a sizable favorite.

The UFC have not yet announced a location where UFC 257 will take place. However, it was reported that Conor McGregor would face Dustin Poirier in the main event. Both athletes are coming off a victory. Notorious knocked out Donald Cerrone and The Diamond won Dan Hooker by unanimous decision. Dustin is currently ranked second at lightweight, while Conor takes fourth place. The contestants are looking forward to getting a title shot and competing with two other main contenders – Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson. The reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov affirmed his retirement from MMA, but the lightweight title is not vacant yet.