Tag: Amanda Ribas

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Mackenzie Dern avenges loss, PFL’s major changes, UFC 311 preview, more

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses Mackenzie Dern’s win, PFL’s major changes, UFC 311 and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

  • The first UFC event for 2025 is in the books. UFC Fight Night 249 saw [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] avenge her first professional loss to [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] in the main event. We break down the strawweight bout, along with other highlights from the card.
  • Two legends of the game have booked their returns to the octagon, as former UFC bantamweight champions [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] and [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag] will fight – but not against each other – at UFC Fight Night 252. Cruz takes on Rob Font in the co-main event, and Cejudo fights Song Yadong in the main. We discuss the two matchups and the careers of the bantamweight legends.
  • PFL is making some changes. The promotion will no longer host its signature season-format tournaments, signaling a big shift for the company. The tournaments will not have a season, and they will be prospect-based, rather than having their marquee names. This is on top of the allowance of elbows, which were announced last week by PFL owner [autotag]Donn Davis[/autotag]. We react to the changes and discuss PFL’s potential year in 2025.
  • It’s fight week for UFC 311. The first UFC pay-per-view of the year goes down Saturday in Southern California. This card features two title fights, with [autotag]Islam Nurmagomedov[/autotag] defending his lightweight belt against [autotag]Armar Tsarukyan[/autotag] in a rematch, and [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] defending his bantamweight title against U[autotag]mar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]. We analyze the two championship fights, along with other key matchups on the card.

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UFC Fight Night 249 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Santiago Ponzinibbio’s $16,000 leads

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out more than $31 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 249 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $173,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 249 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 249 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Santiago Ponzinibbio[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Carlston Harris[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Abdul Razak Alhassan[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Chris Curtis[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Christian Rodriguez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Austin Bashi[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Uros Medic[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Felipe Bunes[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jose Johnson[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Marco Tulio[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ihor Potieria[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Thiago Moises[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Trey Ogden[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jacobe Smith[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Preston Parsons[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ernesta Kareckaite[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Nicolle Caliari[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Bruno Lopes[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Magomed Gadzhiyasulov[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Fatima Kline[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Viktoriia Dudakova[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Nurullo Aliev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Joe Solecki[/autotag]: $6,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2491 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2025 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

  • “UFC Fight Night 249: Dern vs. Ribas 2” – $173,500

Year-to-date total: $173,500
2024 total: $8,280,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $31,191,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 249.

UFC Fight Night 249 results: Mackenzie Dern avenges Amanda Ribas loss with beautiful armbar submission

A thrilling first card on the UFC’s 2025 calendar ended with a beautiful finish.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] checked a lot of boxes Saturday when she defeated [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] in the UFC Fight Night 247 main event.

Not only did Dern (16-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) pull off her first stoppage since April 2021, she avenged a prior loss to Ribas (12-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC) and solidified herself as a potential title challenger. Dern submitted Ribas with an armbar at 4:56 of Round 3 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Dern, 31, extended her winning streak to two as she put on a clinic in groundwork. The fight was not the most thrilling before the beautiful and technical set-up and finish. The opening two rounds were competitive with each judge having the fight 19-19 entering the third round.

With the defeat, Ribas falls into a two-fight skid and has lost three of her most recent four outings. Saturday’s defeat was the first submission loss of her professional career.

Saturday’s result solidifies an uncertain future for the women’s strawweight division beyond the upcoming Feb. 8 title fight between champion Zhang Weili and challenger Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312. Dern joins fellow contender Virna Jandiroba in the discussion as to who will be next after that.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 249 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 249.

UFC Fight Night 249 social media reactions: Mackenzie Dern avenges loss, submits Amanda Ribas

The MMA community reacted to Mackenzie Dern becoming the first to submit Amanda Ribas in their UFC Vegas 101 rematch.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] redeemed the first loss of her MMA career on Saturday in her UFC Fight Night 249 main event rematch with [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag].

After Ribas (12-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) took her undefeated record in October 2019, Dern (15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) got the better of the rematch with a third-round submission victory in the strawweight headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Dern beating Ribas at UFC Fight Night 249.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 249.

UFC Fight Night 249: Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 249 odds between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 5-round women’s strawweight bout in the main event, Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas battle at UFC Fight Night 249 Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC Fight Night 249: Dern vs. Ribas odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET, with the main card beginning at 7 p.m. ET. All events can be viewed or streamed on ESPN+.

Records: Dern (14-5-0) | Ribas (13-5-0)

Dern picked up a unanimous-decision win over Loopy Godinez in early August, rebounding back after consecutive losses to Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos. She suffered a Round 2 KO/TKO loss to Andrade, but she has ended up going the distance in 6 of the past 7 bouts.

Ribas lost via unanimous decision against Rose Namajunas last time out in late March, alternating losses and wins in the previous 8 fights. Like Dern, there haven’t been a lot of finishes lately, going the distance in 4 of the past 6 outings.

Both fighters are 31 years of age, with Ribas holding a 3-inch reach advantage. Ribas also has a 4.63-to-3.43 significant strikes landed per minute advantage and posts a 2.07 takedown average, to just 0.88 for Dern. The latter does have a 1.20 submission average, while Ribas has managed just a 0.65 mark.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC Fight Night 249: Dern vs. Ribas odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list UFC odds. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Dern +156 (bet $100 to win $156) | Ribas -186 (bet $186 to win $100)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -200 | No +145)

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UFC Fight Night 249: Dern vs. Ribas picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

Dern (+156) just hasn’t been able to score finishes in her career. So, in order to get victories, she must wow the judges and try to outpoint competitors. When she enters on the short end of the statistical categories, such as significant strikes landed per minute, takedown average and submission average, it’s a tall order for Dern to get the job done.

However, backing Ribas (-186) straight up is a little too expensive for a standalone bet. You must risk nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s just too much risk for not enough reward.

Instead, look to RIBAS BY DECISION (-115) for a much better value.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over/Under for rounds isn’t available for betting. And, you must risk 2 times your potential return for Yes (-200): Will the fight go the distance? That’s too much risk. Just focus on the Ribas method of victory as your only play in this main event.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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What time is Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas rematch? Walkouts for UFC Fight Night 249 main event

Here’s when to expect Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas to make their cage walks at UFC Vegas 101.

More than five years after their first encounter, [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] are set to run it back with the stakes a little higher this time around. Their strawweight bout scheduled for five rounds is taking place Saturday, January 11 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The UFC Fight Night 249 headliner is a rematch of an October 2019 bout, which Ribas won by unanimous decision to hand Dern the first loss of her career. At the time, it was just Dern’s third appearance in the UFC and the second for Ribas.

Now heading into UFC Fight Night 249, Dern is No. 6 in the official UFC rankings at 115 pounds, with Ribas at No. 8. Both women hope a victory could get them closer to strawweight title contention.

Dern most recently snapped a two-fight skid last August by winning a unanimous decision against Loopy Godinez at UFC on ABC 7. A victory would mark the first time Dern has won consecutive fights since early 2021.

After winning 10 of her first 11 career fights, Ribas has alternated wins and losses in seven bouts since October 2021 and most recently lost a unanimous decision to Rose Namajunas last March at UFC on ESPN 53.

Here are the walkout times for the UFC Fight Night 249 main event between Dern and Ribas.

When does the UFC Fight Night 249 card start?

  • The UFC 304 lineup consists of 14 fights. Prelims start at 4 p.m. ET, and the main card at 7 p.m. ET.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas walkout time

  • As the main event, Dern and Ribas are expected to walk out at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. locally in Las Vegas).
  • The fight will stream on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 249.

UFC Fight Night 249 preview: Can Mackenzie Dern beat Amanda Ribas in rematch?

On “Spinning Back Clique,” the panel breaks down the UFC Fight Night 249 main event rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] are running this back this weekend.

The two UFC strawweight contenders meet in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 249 at the UFC Apex. It’s a rematch that’s been five years in the making. The two first met in October 2019, and Ribas was able to hand Dern her first professional defeat.

How much have these two fighters evolved since their first fight? Can Dern even out the score against Ribas?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King, Danny Segura and host “Gorgeous” George Garcia break down Saturday’s UFC main event, along with some other highlighted bouts on the card.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube or in podcast form.

https://youtube.com/live/qi0kZ8xt43U


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UFC veterans in muay Thai, bareknuckle and caged boxing action Jan. 10-11

Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC returns to action with its first event of 2025.

UFC Fight Night 249 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and is headlined by a rematch between [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag]. Elsewhere, many other combat sports events are taking place, featuring several familiar names who have competed under the UFC banner.

Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing Jan. 10-11.

Scroll below to see how the UFC veterans fared over the past two weeks during the holidays, and see the names and details of this weekend’s competitors.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Last two week’s results

  • Teruto Ishihara: TKO win vs. Go Todoroki at Shootoo 2024 Final in Osaka
  • Roque Martinez: Decision loss vs. Jung Hwan Cha at Black Combat 13
  • Makwan Amirkhani: Submission win vs. Fernando Flores at ICF 3
  • Igor Severino: Split decision win vs. Jonas Magard at OKTAGON 65
  • Lucie Pudilova: Split decision loss vs. Cecilie Bolander at OKTAGON 65
  • Karlos Vemola: Unanimous decision loss vs. Will Fleury at OKTAGON 65
  • Carlos Mota: Unanimous decision win vs. Shogo Kuriaki at Knock Out K.O. Climax 2024 (custom rules)
  • Jose Torres: Split decision win vs. Makoto Shinryu at Rizin Decade
  • Kyoji Horiguchi: Unanimous decision win vs. Nkazimulo Zulu at Rizin Decade
  • Eric Shelton: Submission win vs. Alan Olivas at Synergy FC 17

John Lineker (37-11 MMA, 12-4 UFC)

John Lineker ONE 168 weigh-ins
  • Next fight: Jan. 10 vs. Kulabdam For Joe Piek Utah at ONE Fight Night 27 (Muay Thai)
  • Last MMA fight: Submission loss vs. Shinya Aoki at ONE 165 on Jan. 28, 2024
  • Last UFC fight: Split decision loss vs. Cory Sandhagen at UFC on ESPN+ 8 on April 27, 2019
  • Record since UFC exit: 6-2 (1 NC) MMA, 2-0 muay Thai

Marcin Wrzosek (14-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

  • Next fight: Jan. 11 vs. Kasjusz Zycinski at Prime Show MMA 111 (caged boxing)
  • Last MMA fight: Unanimous decision win vs. Borys Mankowski at KSW 53 on July 11, 2020
  • Last UFC fight: Split decision loss vs. Julian Erosa at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale on Dec. 11, 2015
  • Record since UFC exit: 4-4 MMA, 2-1 boxing, 3-1 kickboxing, 1-0 bareknuckle boxing

Cody East (16-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC)

  • Next fight: Jan. 11 vs. Dylan Rush at BYB 35 (bareknuckle boxing)
  • Last MMA fight: TKO win vs. Rakim Cleveland at Peak Fighting 35 on April 20, 2024
  • Last UFC fight: TKO loss vs. Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 96 on Oct. 1, 2016
  • Record since UFC exit: 4-4 MMA, 4-0 boxing, 1-0 kickboxing, 0-1 muay Thai, 1-0 bareknuckle boxing

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UFC Fight Night 249: How to watch Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas 2, start time, full card, odds, more

Here’s what you need to know to watch Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas 2 at UFC Fight Night 249 on ESPN+.

The UFC is back in its Las Vegas home base to kick off the calendar year with a pair of strawweight contenders at the top of the bill.

Here’s how to watch UFC Fight Night 249 with 115-pounders in the headlining spot, plus a potential welterweight slobberknocker in the co-main event.

UFC Fight Night 249 broadcast and streaming info

UFC Fight Night 249 has a main card that starts at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The preliminary card streams on ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET.

Stay tuned for more broadcast details later this week.

UFC Fight Night 249 headliner preview: Mackenzie Dern

Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Mackenzie Dern fights against Amanda Lemos during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC
Division: Women’s strawweight
Key wins: Loopy Godinez, Angela Hill, Tecia Penningtno, Virna Jandiroba, Montana De La Rosa
Misc.: Decorated jiu-jitsu ace got back in the win column this past August with a decision over Godinez on the heels of the first two-fight skid of her career. She’ll be looking to avenge a decision loss to Ribas in October 2019.

UFC Fight Night 249 headliner preview: Amanda Ribas

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 23: (L-R) Amanda Ribas of Brazil punches Rose Namajunas in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Record: 12-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC
Division: Women’s strawweight
Key wins: Luana Pinheiro, Viviane Araujo, Virna Jandiroba, Mackenzie Dern
Misc.: Ribas has a decision win over Dern a little more than four years ago that was part of her 4-0 start in the UFC. She has alternated wins and losses the past eight fights and after a loss to former champion Rose Namanjunas nine months ago will be looking to avoid the first skid of her career.

UFC Fight Night 249 co-headliner preview: Carlston Harris

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 18: (L-R) Khaos Williams punches Carlston Harris of Guyana in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Record: 19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC
Division: Welterweight
Key wins: Jeremiah Wells, Jared Gooden, Impa Kasanganay, Wellington Turman (2016 regional fight), Michel Pereira (2015 regional fight)
Misc.: Harris never has lost two straight, and that’s what he’ll be trying to avoid against Ponzinibbio on the heels of a 90-second knockout loss to Khaos Williams this past May.

UFC Fight Night 249 co-headliner preview: Santiago Ponzinibbio

Apr 8, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Kevin Holland (red gloves) fights Santiago Ponzinibbio (blue gloves) during UFC 287 at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 29-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC
Division: Welterweight
Key wins: Alex Morono, Miguel Baeza, Neil Magny, Mike Perry, Gunnar Nelson, Sean Strickland
Misc.: After a seven-fight winning streak had him in title contention, Ponzinibbio has dropped five of his past seven – though he has three post-fight bonuses in that stretch.

UFC Fight Night 249: Debuting fighters

Austin Bashi

Record: 13-0
Opponent: Christian Rodriguez (11-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Key wins: Dorian Ramos (DWCS)
Misc.: Highly touted 23-year-old has five straight wins by stoppage.

Marco Tulio

Record: 13-1
Opponent: Ihor Potieria (20-7 MMA, 2-5 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Key wins: Matthieu Duclos (DWCS)
Misc.: Eight-fight winning streak … DWCS contract win was second victory in the series.

Jacobe Smith

Record: 9-0
Opponent: Preston Parsons (11-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Division: Welterweight
Key wins: Christian Savoie (DWCS)
Misc.: Seven of nine wins by knockout.

Nicolle Caliari

Record: 8-2
Opponent: Ernesta Kareckaite (5-1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Key wins: Corinne Laframboise (DWCS)
Misc.: 100 percent finish rate, four straight wins.

Bruno Lopes

Record: 13-1
Opponent: Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Key wins: Mikheil Sazhiniani (DWCS)
Misc.: Former champion in LFA, Jungle Fight.

UFC Fight Night 249 main card betting odds

Chris Curtis

  • Mackenzie Dern +180 vs. Amanda Ribas -220
  • Carlston Harris -110 vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio -110
  • Abdul Razak Alhassan +240 vs. Cesar Almeida -300
  • Chris Curtis +215 vs. Roman Kopylov -265
  • Austin Bashi -265 vs. Christian Rodriguez +215
  • Uros Medic -200 vs. Punahele Soriano +165

UFC Fight Night 249 prelims betting odds

  • Felipe Bunes +160 vs. Jose Johnson -190
  • Ihor Potieria +300 vs. Marco Tulio -500
  • Thiago Moises -200 vs. Trey Ogden +165
  • Preston Parsons vs. Jacobe Smith TBD
  • Nicolle Caliari +240 vs. Ernesta Kareckaite -300
  • Magomed Gadzhiyasulov -225 vs. Bruno Lopes +185
  • Viktoriia Dudakova +550 vs. Fatima Kline -800
  • Nurullo Aliev vs. Joe Solecki TBD

Mackenzie Dern entering UFC Fight Night 249 headliner vs. Amanda Ribas with ‘different type of confidence’

Mackenzie Dern explains why she’s a different fighter now ahead of her rematch vs. Amanda Ribas at UFC Fight Night 249.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] is feeling good ahead of her first career rematch.

The grappling star turned UFC fighter takes on [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] in a strawweight bout that’s set to headline Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 249 at the UFC Apex. Dern (15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) and Ribas (12-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) fought a little over five years ago at a UFC Fight Night event in Tampa, Fla., in October 2019.

At the time, Dern was undefeated in her professional MMA career with a record of 7-0. Fast-forward to now, and Dern has 11 more fights under her belt, fighting against the world’s best in her division.

“I feel like I was such a different person back then, I didn’t even feel like it was me,” Dern said at the UFC Fight Night 249 media day. “My overhand rights that I kind of threw out there I still have, the heart still there, but I feel like I’m a totally different person, and it was three rounds. I feel like we’re at totally different phases of our careers. I’ve evolved in striking, in wrestling, in takedowns, and just so much experience.

“Going back, I fought like Jessica (Andrade), Amanda Lemos, and all these girls that punch harder than Amanda (Ribas). Obviously, if any punch lands on the right spot, you can still knockout, but it’s a different type of confidence to me going into this fight now five years later than four months after my daughter was born and taking a little while off.”

On top of feeling like a different fighter this time around, the circumstances are much different. Prior to the first fight, Dern was coming off a long layoff due to the birth of her daughter. She obviously wasn’t fighting while pregnant, and she returned to the fight to fight Ribas just four months after giving birth.

“A little bit, yeah,” Dern said when asked if she regretted taking the first fight with Ribas. “I still think I would have losses in my career, and I’m still happy with where I am today. It’s made me who I am today, so I can’t totally regret, but I think if I could go back, I’d wait a little bit longer.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 249.