Nicolle Caliari to Make UFC Debut Against Ernesta Kareckaite

Nicolle Caliari, a 28-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist from Curitiba, is set to make her UFC debut against Lithuania’s Ernesta Kareckaite this Saturday, January 11, 2025. The fight will take place on the preliminary card of UFC Vegas 101, starting at 6 p.m. Brasília time. Caliari, who signed with the UFC in September 2024 after a victory on Dana White‘s Contender Series, brings a professional record of four consecutive wins, all by stoppage, and only two losses.

Kareckaite, who also earned her UFC contract through the Contender Series in 2023, is coming off a loss in her debut against Brazilian Dione Barbosa in May 2024. Despite her recent setback, Kareckaite is favored in the matchup. Caliari, however, remains confident, citing her aggressive fighting style and recent momentum as key factors. “I’ve never gone to the judges’ scorecards,” Caliari said in a recent interview. “I always aim to finish fights, and that’s what I plan to do this weekend.”

Caliari trains with Thai Brasil in Florianópolis, a team that includes UFC strawweight Marina Rodriguez. Her victory over Canadian Corinne Laframboise on the Contender Series earned her a personal congratulations from UFC President Dana White, who wished her “good luck” in the organization. Kareckaite, meanwhile, has been working to rebound from her debut loss and is determined to prove herself in the flyweight division.

The fight marks a significant milestone for Caliari, who began her MMA career in 2015 and has competed in organizations such as AFT, LFA, and FTD. Both fighters successfully made weight on Friday, January 10, clearing the final hurdle before their showdown. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN+, with the preliminary card featuring several other high-stakes matchups.