UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown at UFC 321, held in Las Vegas on October 21, 2023, Mackenzie Dern triumphed over Virna Jandiroba to secure the vacant UFC women’s strawweight title. Dern won by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring it 48-47 and the third at 49-46.
This victory marks a pivotal moment for Dern, who expressed her overwhelming joy, stating, “
This feels amazing,”
as she celebrated in the Octagon with her six-year-old daughter. This title was previously held by Zhang Weili, who is preparing for a fight against flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in November.
Dern and Jandiroba faced off in a highly anticipated rematch, having previously met in December 2020 where Dern emerged victorious. Their latest bout showcased Dern’s improved striking skills, as she outstruck Jandiroba with a total of 247 significant strikes compared to Jandiroba’s 152.
Despite entering the fight on a five-fight winning streak, Jandiroba struggled to make a significant impact. Dern neutralized her takedown attempts, successfully defending herself throughout the 25-minute contest. Jandiroba managed to take Dern down nine times, but was unable to capitalize, allowing Dern to return to her feet consistently.
“We knew the striking was good, but I wish it was better,” Dern remarked. She had hoped for a knockout, showcasing her evolving offensive game which has been a focus since her last encounter with Jandiroba. Despite a 5-4 record in her last nine fights, Dern’s dedication to improving her striking proved decisive in this championship bout.
As the fight progressed, Jandiroba showcased resilience, landing punches that left Dern’s face marked and swollen. However, the damage inflicted by Dern’s jabs accumulated, leading to noticeable swelling under Jandiroba’s right eye.
“It wasn’t the fight I expected; I thought it was going to be a little easier,” Dern admitted. “I know she would get the takedowns. I think I did a lot of damage on the ground, but we did a little bit of everything in the cage with striking and on the ground.”
With this victory, Dern improves to 2-0 against Jandiroba, solidifying her status as a champion. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how her reign will unfold in the highly competitive strawweight division.
As the MMA community buzzes with excitement, attention now turns to how Dern will defend her title and the implications for the division, particularly with Zhang Weili’s upcoming fight against Shevchenko. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.