It’s been a fast ascent up the UFC strawweight ladder for Fatima Kline – and why slow down?
First things first, however. Saturday at UFC Fight Night 281, Kline (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) faces arguably her toughest divisional test when she battles Tabatha Ricci (12-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Paramount+).
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“Tabatha has been on my radar for the past year,” Kline said at a pre-fight news conference Thursday (h/t Cageside Press). “She’s just somebody who I’ve been wanting to fight, somebody I’ve kept an eye out for. The bigger the fights get, the better I get. So, I’m really excited for Saturday.”
With big tests come big rewards – and bigger opportunities. For Kline, who made her UFC debut two years ago, she thinks a big win over a perennial UFC-ranked fighter lines her up nicely for the creme de la creme at 115 pounds.
“I think that puts me right in line to start attacking the top-five spot,” Kline said. “I think you could see a finish from me on Saturday, and I could see myself chasing a title in 2027. … I’m looking for top-five by the end of this year. I don’t want to wait until next year to crack into the top-five spot. I’m ready to make my name known this year. … I’ve never said no to the UFC. They know I’ve never backed down from any fight. I’ve said yes to every opponent they offered me after Amanda. Now, it’s Tabatha, and I’ll be ready for whoever they have next to me after that.”
Kline was initially supposed to fight Amanda Ribas, who withdrew due to injury. In stepped Ricci, a few weeks out. Regardless of opponent, however, Kline said she comes into fights with the same mentality: she’s fighting one of the best in the world, but she’s better.
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“I think every time I fight, I hope to get the best in the world out of whoever I’m fighting,” Kline said. “For this one, it’s Tabatha. I think she’s very strong, obviously, physically, visually athletic. I think I prepare for the best. I prepare for the best in the world, and I’ll be prepared to face the best version of Tabatha, and I hope she’s ready to face the best version of me.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Why wait? Fatima Kline wants top-five opponent if she wins at UFC Oklahoma City
