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There is a new leader in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division. Mackenzie Dern spent the entirety of her mixed martial arts (MMA) career in the spotlight. Her ever-evolving strike game helped her win a crucial match against Virna Jandiroba on Saturday at UFC 321. Dern made her MMA début in 2016 after a distinguished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Dern was criticized in the past for being an unrefined prospect who had fantastic submissions. Dern’s improved striking under the guidance of Jason Parillo helped her win the vacant UFC Women’s Strawweight Title in a fiercely competitive fight. Dern was able to land more powerful blows than Jandiroba, despite being slightly better at striking. Jandiroba was able to score multiple takedowns but she couldn’t do much with them. Both women were bruised after the fight. This was the result of an attrition war that primarily involved striking. Dern’s final scores were 48-47. 48-47. and 49 46. “It’s amazing. “I can’t believe it happened …” Dern said to UFC commentator Daniel Cormier in her post-fight interviews. It wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be simpler.”
Dern was in a good position to fight for the title. There weren’t many options to fill the vacant title after Zhang Weili left. Dern’s 2020 victory over Jandiroba was a result of Dern and Zhang beating most of the top contenders. Dern had won three straight fights, which was a remarkable comeback, after losing consecutive matches for the first ever time in her career.
Dern may be the undisputed champ, but there is a spiritual asterisk attached to his title. The dominant champion Zhang gave up the belt in order to face women’s flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko. If Zhang returns to strawweight following the November pay-per view, many will consider her to be the uncrowned champion who is returning to reclaim the throne.
2025-10-25 21:46:07
