Tag: Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas rematch shifts to first UFC main event of 2025

UFC Tampa will no longer feature the Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas rematch, and it now headlines the first UFC card of 2025.

Less than two weeks out from its original date at UFC on ESPN 63, the rematch between [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] has been rescheduled.

Although it will no longer take place in front of a crowd, the strawweight contenders will instead get two more rounds and a main event spotlight. Dern (19-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Ribas (12-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) will run it back in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 249, which takes place Jan. 11 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN+).

MMA Junkie confirmed the changes with multiple people close to the situation, who requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Mania was first to report the news on Tuesday.

The bout is a rematch from UFC Fight Night 161 in October 2019, which Ribas won by unanimous decision. At the time, both women were just starting their UFC tenures. The matchup was Dern’s third promotional appearance and Ribas’ second.

Dern and Ribas have struggled to gain and maintain momentum, with both ladies posting 3-4 records in their past seven bouts that date back to 2021.

Dern will enter the fight off a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez, which she earned earlier this month to snap a two-fight skid at UFC on ABC 7. Ribas, meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous decision loss to former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in a headlining bout at UFC on ESPN 53 this past March.

The latest UFC Fight Night 249 lineup now includes:

  • Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas
  • Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov
  • Thiago Moises vs. Trey Ogden
  • Carlston Harris vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
  • Austin Bashi vs. Christian Rodriguez
  • Nicolle Caliari vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
  • Uros Medic vs. Punahele Soriano
  • Andreas Gustafsson vs. Preston Parsons
  • Felipe Bunes vs. Jose Johnson
  • Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Bruno Lopes
  • Cesar Almeida vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan
  • Nurullo Aliev vs. Yanal Ashmouz
  • Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Fatima Kline

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

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas rematch booked for UFC Fight Night on December 14

Five years removed from their first encounter, Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas will run it back.

Five years removed from their first encounter, [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] will run it back.

Dern vs. Ribas 2 has been booked to take place at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 14 in Tampa, Fla., which is slated to close out the promotion’s 2024 schedule. Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Monday following an initial report by Ag. Fight on X.

The bout is a rematch from UFC Fight Night 161 in October 2019, which Ribas won by unanimous decision. At the time, both women were just starting their UFC tenures. The matchup was Dern’s third promotional appearance and Ribas’ second.

Oct 12, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Mackenzie Dern (red gloves) fights Amanda Ribas (blue glove) during UFC Fight Night at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Dern (19-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Ribas (12-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) have struggled to gain and maintain momentum, with both ladies posting 3-4 records in their past seven bouts that date back to 2021.

Dern will enter the fight off a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez, which she earned earlier this month to snap a two-fight skid at UFC on ABC 7. Ribas, meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous decision loss to former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in a headlining bout at UFC on ESPN 53 this past March.

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UFC on ABC 7: Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7 odds between Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 3-round women’s strawweight bout on the main card, Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez meet Saturday at UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC on ABC 7: Dern vs. Godinez odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin noon ET, on ESPN2/ESPN+, while the main card starts at 3 p.m. ET, on ABC/ESPN.

Records: Dern (13-5-0) | Godinez (12-4-0)

Dern has lost the past 2 fights while going just 2-4 in the past 6 bouts. She suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Amanda Lemos at UFC 298 in her most recent fight. Prior to that, she suffered a Round 2 KO/TKO loss at UFC 295 against Jessica Andrade.

The fight against Andrade was a rarity, as Dern has gone the distance in 5 of the previous 6 outings.

Mexico’s Godinez suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Virna Jandiroba last time out March 30, snapping a 4-bout win streak. Like Dern, she often needs the judges to determine a winner. Since Oct. 16, 2021, Godinez has ended up going the distance 8 times in the past 9 outings.

Dern has a 2-inch reach advantage, and she is also 2 inches taller. Godinez has a 4.13-to-3.31 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, and the Mexican fighter is slightly more accurate with those strikes at 53.97% to 52.97%. Godinez also has a 3.04 takedown average, while Dern has a 1.31-to-1.01 submission average advantage.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC on ABC 7: Dern vs. Godinez odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Dern -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Godinez +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -260 | Under +192)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -215 | No +162)

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UFC on ABC 7: Dern vs. Godinez picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

GODINEZ (+102) is worth a look as the slight underdog. The Team RVCA fighter Dern (-120) has dropped 2 straight fights and 4 of the past 6.

Godinez throws a few more significant strikes per minute, and she is a little more accurate. In addition, she has tremendous takedown average numbers, while Dern’s only slight advantage is in the submission department.

GODINEZ BY POINTS (+135) is a little better of a value in the Method of Victory department, too, as this fight is more than likely to go the distance.

Over/Under (O/U)

Yes (-215): Will the fight go the distance? will cost you more than 2 times your return. That’s way too much risk despite the tremendous frequency of going the distance for both of these fighters at the UFC level.

There is also no way to justify playing Over 2.5 Rounds (-260), which is even more expensive. Just focus on the 2-way line and method of victory.

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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Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC on ABC 7

Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez both struggle to connect their games, but who will get the job done at UFC Abu Dhabi?

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 3-2
UFC main cards, 2024: 64-56-3

Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez UFC on ABC 7 preview

Despite her recent struggles, Dern (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) enters UFC on ABC 7 believing she can still be champion. If there’s any chance for that to happen, she must win Saturday after losing four of her past six bouts. Dern is coming off back-to-back losses to Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos. … Godinez (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) appeared to be inching oh so close to strawweight title contention as she was on a four-fight winning streak until losing a unanimous decision to Virna Jandiroba this past March.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez UFC on ABC 7 expert pick, prediction

Despite Dern being the more known and experienced product between the two of them, I’d argue that both ladies are still developing fighters.

Although there’s a lot to like about Godinez’s potential, she seems to be going through growing pains when it comes to connecting her game. The same can still be said for Dern, but there’s no denying the finishing upside she has over a decent majority of her peers.

Add in the fact that Dern appears to be back with well respected striking coach Jason Parillo, and I can’t help but be somewhat optimistic for the Brazilian in this spot.

It’s still a tight fight that I see having a high potential to go to decision, but I’ll semi-reluctantly side with Dern to edge out the scorecards for throwing with the kind of eye-catching power that (right or wrong) tends to catch the eyes of the judges.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez UFC on ABC 7 odds

Despite the oddsmakers technically opening the Mexican as the slight favorite, public money has come in on the Brazilian and flipped the line, listing Dern -130 and Godinez +106 via FanDuel.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez UFC on ABC 7 start time, how to watch

Dern and Godinez are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ABC and stream on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Loopy Godinez: ‘I’m not afraid to go to the ground’ with Mackenzie Dern at UFC Abu Dhabi

Loopy Godinez welcomes Mackenzie Dern’s ground game at Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] arguably has the best jiu-jitsu in women’s MMA, yet, her opponent, [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag], is not fazed by it.

Saturday, a pivotal women’s strawweight bout goes down on the main card of UFC on ABC 7 with Godinez (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) clashing against Dern (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). Many look to avoid the ground and any type of grappling when it comes to fighting Dern, a decorated jiu-jitsu champion. However, Godinez is eager to put her own grappling to the test and welcomes the challenge.

“The truth is that I’m not afraid to go to the ground with her because I’ve also worked a ton on my jiu-jitsu, and also on stopping a jiu-jitsu fighter from doing their things,” Godinez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “That’s also very important – it’s not just about me doing jiu-jitsu. We’re focused on that a lot, and obviously our hands are always improving and that’s going to show. The truth is that I want to work my wrestling, but we’ll see how things go down.”

Both Godinez and Dern, although ranked names in the 115-pound division, are coming off losses and are looking to get back in their winning ways so they can make a run for the title. Dern is coming off a loss to Amanda Lemos and Godinez to Virna Jandiroba.

Despite their defeats, the Lobo Gym product is convinced she’ll enter back into title contention with a win on Saturday.

“Nobody likes to lose, obviously, but I just take it how it is – a lesson,” Godinez said. “I can just try to do things better this time around. This is not the first time I’ve lost, but it is more crucial because I’m high in the rankings. But it happened, and it signals I need to adjust things, and I think it’s better to find out now than later on when I’m more ahead.

“Again, a loss is never good, but if I do something big in my performance, you never know – maybe I just get one more, and then I’m fighting for the title. Someone can also get injured, and then I get a shot. This sport is just too unpredictable. All I can do is stay positive and keep moving forward.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Mackenzie Dern throwing out brawler mentality before UFC on ABC 7: ‘I want to be a champion’

Mackenzie Dern wants to be a “two-weight class champion” in the UFC but said she won’t get there if she can’t keep her emotions in check.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] believes she can achieve her championship aspirations if she makes one critical adjustment to her game entering UFC on ABC 7.

With back-to-back losses on her record for the first time, one might think Dern (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) would be struggling with confidence going into Saturday’s strawweight matchup with Loopy Godinez (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. However, that’s not the case.

In fact, Dern thinks she is on the cusp of her best days and most effective performances. But only if she can keep her emotions under control inside the octagon. Dern has been knocked down five times total in her two recent defeats, per UFC stats, against Amanda Lemos and Jessica Andrade, which she said was a product of getting too wild inside the cage.

Dern’s heart and durability cannot be questioned, and although she received praise from UFC CEO Dana White for her Fight of the Night battle with Lemos at UFC 298 in February, she said it’s not the approach required to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

“From my last fight, the biggest thing I’ve been trying to work on is just like control the emotions,” Dern told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “We kind of feel like that’s the biggest detail, what my losses are coming from. Not necessarily, ‘Oh, the technique isn’t there. Missing the wrestling. Missing the striking.’ Just that fact like, when you take a punch or something, sometimes I stay in a brawl and make the fight harder than what it needs to be.”

In order to keep her focus dialed in and “clean up” her emotional turbulence, Dern said she’s been working with a psychologist. She also brought her daughter to Abu Dhabi to fight week, which she said “keeps me more relaxed” as she ramps up for battle.

At 31, Dern thinks she still has plenty of time to make a run, starting with the fight against Godinez. She thinks the lessons absorbed through 13 octagon appearances have been immense, and she’s ready to be the fighter everyone expected her to be when she joined the UFC as an undefeated jiu-jitsu champion.

“I want to have a long career,” Dern said. “I want to be a champion. I would like to be like a two-weight class champion. Brawlers don’t really have that. They take the damage. … It’s just unnecessary.

“I always have that card in my back pocket if I need to brawl. I can go out there and brawl. We all know I have that heart in there. I want to have a long career and try to see everything. And I think if I’m more rational and reasonable, I can have everything it takes to be a champion.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Dana White announces Nick Diaz, Tony Ferguson return fights at UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi

MMA legends Nick Diaz and Tony Ferguson will make their returns to the UFC this summer in the Middle East.

Legendary fan favorites [autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] will be stepping into the octagon once again.

On Wednesday morning, UFC CEO Dana White announced the return fights for the two MMA veterans, which will happen Aug. 3 at UFC on ABC 7 from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Diaz will take on [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] in a five-round co-main event, and while Ferguson matches up with [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag] on the main card. Both fights will take place at welterweight.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7jmK9FRwvc/

Diaz, older brother of Nate Diaz, hasn’t fought since losing to Robbie Lawler in 2021. That was also his first fight in six years. Diaz is now 40 and winless in his past four UFC bouts. His last win came against B.J. Penn in 2011 at UFC 237.

Luque is also looking to break out of a bad spell. He’s 1-3 in his past four performances, with his most recent a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in March.

Ferguson, like Diaz also 40, is hoping to snap a seven-fight losing streak when he meets Chiesa. White didn’t say this would be Ferguson’s retirement fight but did state this “could be” Ferguson’s final fight. Ferguson last fought in December when he lost a unanimous decision to Paddy Pimblett.

Additionally, a UFC women’s strawweight bout between [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] was also announced.

Below is the updated card for UFC on ABC 7:

  • Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Tony Ferguson
  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera
  • Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Mackenzie Dern plans ‘to correct the mistakes’ after UFC 298 loss, receives praise from Dana White

Mackenzie Dern didn’t get the win at UFC 298, but she at least has Dana White’s support.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] put on a valiant effort at UFC 298 but ultimately fell short.

Dern lost a close decision to Amanda Lemos this past Saturda in a Fight of the Night effort. She rallied after being dropped and badly hurt in Round 2, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges in her favor.

Despite now being on a two-fight losing skid for the first time in her career, Dern (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) remained positive in an Instagram post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3g_tETLTXa/

“Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world”
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The results weren’t what I was hoping for! Thank you everyone for all the support! I love doing what I do! Now, it’s time to correct the mistakes and keep up the hard work! 💪🏼👊🏼 Congrats to @amandalemos_ufc for an amazing fight! FOTN for us! 🙏🏼

A bloodied and battered Dern held her face after being dropped by Lemos, and UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] was shocked to hear that she didn’t suffer any major injuries.

“We were convinced that she had a broken orbital in that fight,” White said during the UFC 298 post-fight news conference. “When she went down with the eye thing, we were convinced it was a broken orbital, and she fought through it. I’m shocked that it’s not (broken). She’s so f*cking tough. She’s awesome.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 298 medical suspensions: Henry Cejudo among 9 fighters suspended 180 days

Nine UFC 298 competitors are out a potential 180 days due to injuries sustained in their fights Saturday in Anaheim, Calif.

Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view event in Anaheim, Calif. was not a good night to be a limb.

UFC 298 took place at Anaheim, Calif. and featured 12 bouts and 24 fighters. Nine of those fighters were handed six-month suspensions as a result of injuries sustained in their bouts. Eight of those potential injuries were deemed possible fractures.

Monday, California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive director Andy Foster, who oversaw the event, provided MMA Junkie with a full list of medical suspensions.

Scroll below to see how much time UFC 298 competitors will have to take off as a result of their bouts Saturday. It’s important to note fighters may return before the conclusion of their suspensions if they are cleared by a physician (unless denoted “no exception” or “mandatory”).

UFC 298 post-event facts: Ilia Topuria makes history with title coronation

The best facts to come out of UFC 298, which saw a number of historic feats, including Ilia Topuria’s title KO of Alexander Volkanovski.

The UFC’s second pay-per-view of 2024 was a memorable one, with UFC 298 on Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., seeing a changing of the guard in the featherweight division.

In the main event, [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) became the new featherweight champion when he delivered on his promise to knock out longtime titleholder [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC), which he did in the second round of their fight to claim gold.

For more on the numbers to come out of the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC 298.