The world of mixed martial arts often sees fierce rivalries, and none exemplifies this better than the renewed clash between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas. Five years after their first encounter, where Ribas emerged victorious, Dern turned the tide in impressive fashion, submitting her opponent with an armbar just four seconds before the end of the third round. The victory signifies more than just a win; it marks a crucial turning point in Dern’s career, showcasing her evolution as a fighter and her relentless pursuit of success in the UFC.
A Tactical Approach
Dern approached the fight with a clear strategy, reflecting the lessons learned from her previous defeat. Although Ribas managed to defend against Dern’s takedown attempts once again, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist turned the fight on its head with her submission skills. By threatening Ribas with submissions from her back, Dern effectively created the scrambles that allowed her to achieve a dominant position in the final moments of the bout. It was a display of tactical prowess, where the threat became a weapon, showing how crucial adaptability is in combat sports.
In a striking battle that unfolded throughout the fight, Dern outperformed Ribas in total strikes, landing 98 to her opponent’s 80. This statistic underscores the growth in Dern’s striking abilities, an area she adamantly committed to enhancing over the past few years. The ability to cut Ribas with an elbow from her back in the second round not only showcased her striking efficiency but also demonstrated her capacity to generate offense from unorthodox positions—a vital skill set in MMA.
With this victory, Dern improves her ranking to a solid No. 6 in the strawweight division, having now snapped a pattern of mixed performances against elite opponents. Currently on a two-fight win streak, Dern is poised to vie for title contention. Discussions of potential future matchups are inevitable, especially with Tatiana Suarez, the only ranked fighter above Dern, set to contest the champion, Zhang Weili, at UFC 312. The outcome of that showdown could be pivotal for Dern’s aspirations, potentially opening or closing doors to a title shot.
For Dern, the journey has been filled with hurdles, yet she continues to embody the spirit of perseverance that defines successful fighters. Despite her struggles against top-tier competitors early in her career (with a record of 1-3 against ranked opponents), her continued dedication to improving her skills has started to bear fruit. “We still have work to do,” Dern remarked, emphasizing her awareness of the constant evolution required in a highly competitive landscape. As the UFC headlined its first event of 2025 with her victory, the future looks promising for Dern; she has laid the groundwork for what could be a momentous ascent in the strawweight division.