How Brazilian UFC fighter dubbed ‘Baby Shark’ came to California and partnered with 805 beer

When Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter Tabatha Ricci moved to California, the United States was the third country she’d lived in during her young career, but this time around, she had her mind set on the big stage.

“I already knew that I don’t want to go back to Brazil because I want to keep following my dreams, which was always my career in MMA,” said Ricci, who goes by the nickname “Baby Shark.” “I came to challenge myself more and learn more about the language and keep following my dreams.”

Hailing from Birigui, a city near Sao Paulo, Ricci, 28, departed her home country at age 21 to pursue a career in MMA, heading first to Japan to further develop her skills.

Nearly seven years later, the 5-foot-2 strawweight fighter is living in Ventura, has signed with the UFC and sports a 7-1 professional record.

She also just partnered with Firestone Walker’s 805 beer as she continues to advance in her career.

And her next big fight comes this weekend, when she competes at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

She won her first UFC match

Ricci’s career took off when she moved to Ventura in 2017, and she won her first pro fight in 2020.

After multiple matches for the Legacy Fighting Alliance from 2020 to 2021, she fought her first UFC match in June 2021. Fighting in the strawweight division of 106 to 115 pounds, she won by unanimous decision.

She’s now 2-1 in UFC fights, with an upcoming bout on Saturday against veteran fighter Jessica Penne.

“I would say because I’m small in my division, I think for my body type and my style, I consider (myself) more of a grappler,” Ricci said. “I always gonna fight taller opponents than me, so to be successful, I might have to close the space and try to put the girl down and finish the fight from there.”

Despite her size, Ricci’s ferocity and ability to take on bigger fighters earned her the nickname “Baby Shark.”

“There was a … coach at my jiu jitsu gym, and all the time when I showed up for training, he said, ‘oh, the Baby Shark is here,’” Ricci said. “It’s because I’m the smallest one at the gym and I train with everybody like the biggest guy in the gym to the smallest guy. … I’m hungry all the time.”

She’s embraced the name so much so that she even brings a plush baby shark with her. Ricci is still trying to get approval from the UFC, so that she can bring the stuffed animal into the cage with her.

Ricci learned judo from her father

Ricci’s father, who’s a master in judo, got her involved with martial arts at a young age.

“My dad is like my superhero. … He’s a big thing in my life that really inspires me,” Ricci said. “He is my best friend. I always talk to him when I’m sad or when I’m happy.”

Before Ricci could establish herself as an up-and-comer in the UFC, however, she moved to Japan.

“My family was worried about me because it was their little daughter (leaving home) to a different country,” Ricci said. “We took the risk, and it was a great experience for me. I grew up a lot.”

In Japan, Ricci earned her black belt in judo and took the steps she needed to compete in the U.S.

“I knew that (the U.S) was a big opportunity for me. All the big names are here, all the big tournaments,” Ricci said.

But moving to the U.S. put her another degree away from her family.

“I don’t have (anybody) from my family here. So the gym is my family,” Ricci said. “It was kind of hard in the beginning, but now it’s worth it and I’m happy where I am.”

Fighter teams up with Firestone Walker’s 805 beer

While she was excelling in the Octagon, she also connected with the Central Coast community, and that led to a partnership with Firestone Walker’s 805 beer.

“I do love the beer, and I think me and 805 match perfectly because I live here (locally), my gyms are all local here in the 805, and we share the same lifestyle. So I say, ‘Why not try to get in contact with 805?’” Ricci said.

Between fights, Ricci works out at Paragon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Ventura, a martial arts gym with locations from there to Atascadero, including four total in San Luis Obispo County. While also training out of the Ventura location, she teaches jiu-jitsu classes to all levels.

”Teaching for me is the time that I take for studying. I have to break down the technique, explain to my students, and go step-by-step,” Ricci said. “I really love …when I extend the time (to share) my knowledge and everything that I learned with others.”’

Dreams of becoming a champ

Ricci has come a long way from the 21-year-old who left Brazil to chase her dreams, and now she has her sights set on larger goals.

“Of course, everyone wants to be a champion,” she said.

At the same time, a belt isn’t everything.

“It’s just a material thing, which doesn’t mean much for me, but I want to inspire new generations, inspire little kids coming up,” Ricci said. “I want to be a role model for the people that are starting the sport. … I just want to be remembered forever even when I’m not doing (MMA) anymore.”

Ricci’s next fight takes place on March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event will be televised on ESPN and ESPN+.

This story was originally published March 3, 2023 at 5:30 AM.