The First Fight and What Went Wrong
Mackenzie Dern is back with a vengeance. This Saturday, she will headline UFC Vegas 101, taking on Amanda Ribas in a highly anticipated women’s strawweight rematch. The two fighters first met in October 2019 at UFC Fight Night 161, where Ribas handed Dern her first career loss. At the time, Dern was coming off a quick return to the octagon, having fought just months after giving birth. It was a decision she now regrets.
A Different Fighter Now
“I feel like I was such a different person back then,” Dern admitted during UFC Vegas 101 Media Day. “It didn’t even feel like it was me.” Fast forward five years, and Dern says she’s a completely different fighter, both physically and mentally. The experience she’s gained since their first clash has helped shape her into a stronger and more confident competitor.
“I feel like I’m a totally different person,” Dern continued. “And it was three rounds. I feel like we’re in totally different phases of our career.”
The Evolution of Confidence
“I’ve evolved in striking, wrestling, and takedowns,” she explained. “Just so much experience. It’s a different type of confidence now, going into this fight five years later, than it was four months after my daughter was born.”
Reflecting on Her Career Path
Looking back, Dern acknowledges that her decision to fight shortly after giving birth altered the trajectory of her career.
“If I could go back again, I would wait a little bit longer,” she said. “I feel like my career took a different turn with my decision… I wish I would have had the composure to say, ‘No, take it slower.’ Four months is fast.”
A New Level of Confidence for Saturday
But now, with more time to train and hone her skills, Dern is ready to show everyone how much she’s grown. “I think fans, media, and even myself will see a big difference,” she added. “I think fans will be shocked and that I’ll get the win on Saturday.”
Grappling Advantage
One area where Dern feels she holds the upper hand is in grappling. With her impressive Brazilian jiu-jitsu background, she’s confident that Ribas won’t want to test her on the ground.
“I think I have the better grappling for sure,” Dern said. “I can’t imagine why someone would want to, especially with striking. I think she has good striking and good reach, but I can’t imagine her wanting to risk going to the ground with me. It’s just unnecessary.”
Looking Ahead to the Rematch
With her evolution both inside and outside the cage, Mackenzie Dern is looking to make a statement this weekend and prove that the fighter who faced Amanda Ribas in 2019 is a thing of the past.
