The first UFC event of 2025 is in the books with Mackenzie Dern emerging on top at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
At strawweight, she was set to run it back with the woman who handed her the first defeat of her mixed martial arts career.
Dern was able to avenge her loss to Amanda Ribas six years on from their initial contest by submitting her fellow Brazilian in the third round.
The 31-year old has always been a dangerous submission specialist with excellent jiu-jitsu fundamentals and this proved to be the difference.
"I'm happy, I wanted to get my submission record higher but I'm trying to get better with my striking, trying to get better with my takedowns," Dern told Michael Bisping in her post-fight interview. "We were able to get some takedowns, she's such a tough fighter. Her judo too so it's not good to be on my back so lots of stuff to get better but from five years ago, to get this win was heavy on me so I'm happy to get that off and to get two wins in a row."
The victor was joined in the Octagon by her young daughter who rated her mother's performance as "good".
Dern is currently ranked as the #6-ranked contender at strawweight but with the title set to be defended next month at UFC 312, she doesn't have a next opponent in mind.
"I just want to get another win in a row so I don't know who that will be. I would hope someone in front but I've fought almost everyone in the front. The only one I think is Tatiana and she's going for the belt so I don't know, we'll see."
Watch the full interview below:
