Mackenzie Dern returned to the Octagon on Saturday night determined to erase the memory of a lackluster performance in her last outing against former UFC champion Jessica Andrade.
After suffering the first knockout loss of her career against Jessica Andrade, the Brazilian-American beauty was determined to bounce back in a short-notice showdown with one-time UFC title challenger Amanda Lemos.
Round 1
Mackenzie Dern comes out swinging a little recklessly in the opening seconds as she attempts to close the distance. Lemos is happy to circle the outside of the cage, peppering Dern’s lead with a series of calf kicks. Dern already appears to be having issues with her lead leg, sporting a nasty bit of swelling on the shin. Lemos goes to the body with a kick as Dern whiffs on her 15th straight missed strike.
Struggling to find her way inside, Dern shoots in and scores a solid takedown near the halfway point of the round. Dern works her way into side control, but Lemos puts her right back into half-guard. Dern does a great job of preventing Lemos from using the cage to get back up. Dern goes submission hunting, but Lemos successfully defends and makes it to the end of the round.
Round 2
Lemos opens the second with another nice body kick as Dern looks to pour on the pressure once again. Dern rushes in with a combination and Lemos lands a nasty counter left that sends Dern stumbling back. Lemos goes on the attack looking to end things early in the round, but Dern survives the onslaught and clinches up with Lemos on the canvas.
With some time to recover, Dern tries to put her BJJ skills to work from the bottom. Lemos smartly disengages and forces Dern back to her feet. Battered and bloody, Dern absorbs another calf kick that nearly takes her off her feet. Despite the beating she has endured, Dern is continuing to move forward and let her hands go. Lemos puts Dern on the canvas with a quick takedown, but Dern sweeps and gains top control. Unfortunately, there’s only 20 seconds left in the round.
Dern finishes the second round on top but offers little in the way of offense.
Round 3
Dern comes out fired up in the third and lands a big looping right hand that knocks Lemos down to the mat. Dern moves in, but it’s Lemos who takes things down to the ground. Dern immediately goes to work, threatening an armbar before attacking Lemos’ leg, fishing for a knee bar. Lemos is forced to defend, which allows Dern to get top control. Dern abandons the knee bar attempt to gain top control.
With less than a minute to go, Lemos uses the cage wall to climb back up to her feet but stays engaged in the clinch and ultimately ends up back on the mat with Dern until the final horn.
Official Result:
Check Out Highlights From Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Lemos at UFC 298:
🥵 Pressão absurda de Amanda Lemos em Mackenzie Dern! Quase sai o nocaute no segundo round!#UFCBR | #UFC298https://t.co/3DZpMFJGqu
— FutbooBR 🇧🇷 (@FutbooBR) February 18, 2024
Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Lemos share a moment after a wild fight.
Who won? #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/bdXQdpfnBK
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 18, 2024
Points between and beyond! 👏
🇧🇷 Amanda Lemos inches to victory in a WILD battle with Mackenzie Dern!
Coming up, our #UFC298 Main Card action!! pic.twitter.com/GL3uWZj2Nm
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 18, 2024
