UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2-A Fight Filled with a Tale of Redemption and Rivalry

If you thought the UFC couldn’t surprise you anymore, well, think again. This week, Mackenzie Dern squares off against Amanda Ribas in one of the most hyped rematches in the women’s strawweight division. Five years after Ribas handed Dern her first loss, the two look to reengage in a fight that promises drama, action, and maybe just a touch of redemption-for at least one of them.

Mackenzie Dern: Grappling Star Battling Her Demons
Mackenzie Dern (14-5) is an enigma in MMA. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sensation has grown as a mixed martial artist entirely under the spotlight. From her one-dimensional debut in 2016, Dern has admirably improved her striking and offensive wrestling. However, her defensive skills remain her Achilles heel as she often leaves her chin up and exposed to the delight of her opponents.

I’ve been working a lot on keeping my chin down, defending myself while retreating,” Dern said to CBS Sports. “I think it’s going to show in this fight. Amanda doesn’t hit as hard as fighters like Jessica Andrade or Amanda Lemos, so I feel more confident.”

Amanda Ribas: Smiling Assassin, Ready for Round Two
Amanda Ribas (13-5), the always-bubbly Brazilian, is one of UFC’s most reliable fighters. Actively ranked in two weight classes, Ribas has proven her versatility. However, consistency has been her biggest challenge, as she hasn’t been able to string together a winning streak since going 4-0 early in her UFC career.

I’m closer to the title in the strawweight division,” Ribas said in an interview with CBS Sports. “Fighting in two weight classes is tough, but my goal is clear: I want the belt at 115 pounds.”

The Fight Card: A Night of Potential Knockouts
While this event may not have the star power of next week’s UFC 311, the action at UFC Fight Night can be expected to be explosive. In fact, every fighter on the main card is more than capable of delivering a jaw-dropping knockout, including Roman Kopylov, Abdul Razak Alhassan, and Uros Medic.

Main Fights:

• Amanda Ribas (-205) vs. Mackenzie Dern (+170) (Women’s Strawweight)
  
• Santiago Ponzinibbio (-140) vs. Carlos Harris (+118) (Welterweight)
  
• Cesar Almeida (-260) vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (+210) (Middleweight)
  
• Roman Kopylov (-260) vs. Chris Curtis (+210) (Middleweight)
  
• Austin Bashi (-270) vs. Christian Rodriguez (+220) (Featherweight)
  
• Uros Medic (-220) vs. Punahele Soriano (+180) (Welterweight)
  

Prediction: Can Dern Avenge Her Loss?
Mackenzie Dern has improved significantly since her first fight with Ribas, but enough to win? Ribas dominated Dern in 2019 with superior striking, takedown defense, and control. Dern’s striking has gotten better, but Ribas’s well-rounded skill set still makes her the favorite.

Expect a closer fight than their first encounter, but Ribas’ consistency and experience should lead to another victory.

Prediction: Amanda Ribas wins via unanimous decision.

Will Dern rewrite the story of their rivalry, or will Ribas reaffirm her dominance? One way to find out: tune in to UFC Fight Night this Saturday!

Source: CBS Sports