Tag: Mackenzie Dern

UFC 256 results: Mackenzie Dern shakes off busted nose to beat Virna Jandiroba in wild scrap

Mackenzie Dern showed toughness and improved striking in her win over Virna Jandiroba.

The UFC 256 strawweight main card bout between [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Virna Jandiroba[/autotag] figured to be a world-class grappling clinic. Neither fighter, after all, had scored a knockout victory in her MMA career, and the duo combined for submissions in 19 of their 25 career wins.

Instead, a compelling standup battle broke out. And Dern, the two-time World Jiu-Jitsu Championship gold medalist, showed her striking game is starting to come around. Dern overcame an apparent broken nose in the second round to take a unanimous decision at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, getting across-the-board scores of 29-28.

“I think we both thought it would be on the ground, but she had good takedown defense, and I tried to show my striking,” Dern said in her post-fight interview.

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The opening round saw both fighters try to figure out their distance, with Dern (10-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) stepping on the gas pedal early. She started throwing with precision, but within minutes transitioned to wild haymakers. Former Invicta FC champion Jandiroba (16-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), for her part, landed with solid intentions too.

The second is where things got down and dirty. The duo continued to trade strikes. Dern accidentally poked Jandiroba in the eye, causing a timeout. When action resumed, Dern wildly rushed Jandiroba, but in the ensuing firefight, took a knee, which likely broke her nose. Dern ended up on the mat for the one extended ground sequence, but Jandiroba wasn’t able to do much with her top position.

In the third, Dern shook off her injury and continued pushing the pace. She rocked her foe with a hellacious right hand, but Jandiroba never was able to get off any sustained offense. A misguided attempt to pull guard instead ended up with Dern in top position as the round ended.

With her fourth career decision win, Dern has now won three straight. Jandiroba had a two-fight winning streak snapped.

The strawweight bout was part of the UFC 256 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 256 results:

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Fight Game on the ‘Gram: Mackenzie Dern’s best posts before UFC 256

Check out some of Mackenzie Dern’s most popular Instagram posts ahead of UFC 256.

Social media is part of life in the fight game for most fighters. Many of them turn to Instagram to keep their fans and followers informed and entertained since (for now) its reputation is less vitriolic than some of its contemporaries.

Ahead of her fight against Virna Jandiroba (16-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), check out some of the most popular Instagram posts from [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) over the past year.

Dern and Jandiroba are part of the main card at UFC 256, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.

Mackenzie Dern eyes title in 2021, but first comes key UFC 256 fight vs. Virna Jandiroba

Mackenzie Dern said her work with new striking coach Jason Parillo is paying immediate dividends, and she believes a title shot could come soon.

Long known as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] said her work with new coach Jason Parillo is paying immediate dividends, and she believes a UFC title shot could be coming soon.

“Definitely in 2021, I want to try and pick a little bit more my fights to really get me one step closer to the belt, not just fight anyone for anytime for anything,” Dern said Thursday during a virtual media day ahead of UFC 256. “I really want to fight the top fighters and show that I have the level to be the champion. I don’t want to get there by just fighting anyone. I want to get there by proving myself, and I think the best way to prove it is by fighting the top contenders.”

Dern (9-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will take a step in that direction at Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where she takes on former Invicta FC strawweight champion Virna Jandiroba (16-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC). The main-card bout streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

It’s a meaningful fight at 115 pounds, with Jandiroba sitting at No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie strawweight rankings, and Dern checking in at No. 13. It’s also an intriguing matchup stylistically, with both fighters being sensational grapplers. However, Dern believes her game is a bit more well rounded.

“I think her grappling is a lot of pressure and passing and things like that, and people see me doing these crazy armbars and leglocks and kind of a little bit looser and stuff like that, but man, I’m a complete fighter,” Dern said.

A lifelong jiu-jitsu practitioner, grappling is second nature to the 27-year-old at this point in her career. But recent work with Parillo, which started ahead of her September win over Randa Markos, made her much more confident in her standup game, as well.

Dern said her strategy is certainly not built primarily around striking but thinks her improvements on the feet will prove beneficial.

“Of course my plan is not to win the fight striking, but I definitely think it’s going to give a lot more opportunities to show and maybe hurt her a little bit on my striking so the jiu-jitsu will be even easier, but I think it’s going to be a great fight,” Dern said.

The winner will certainly take a big step forward in the UFC’s increasingly deep strawweight division, which is expected to feature some marquee matchups early in 2021. With a two-fight winning streak built since suffering the lone loss of her career, Dern wants to be a part of those fights and believes Saturday is her chance to get her name in the mix.

“I’m seeing such a big evolution on my game, my striking,” Dern said. “I’m training more my boxing than my jiu-jitsu, and I’m like, ‘Man, I’m seeing such a big evolution’ and everything, so I really want to try to take advantage of this momentum that I have for my last two fights, take advantage of my training with (Parillo) and how much potential he’s showing me that I have. So I’m really happy, and I’m excited to see if I can show everyone with this fight.”

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UFC 256’s Mackenzie Dern doesn’t feel she is a star just yet, out looking for respect though

UFC 256’s Mackenzie Dern doesn’t feel she is a star just yet, out looking for respect though

UFC 256’s Mackenzie Dern doesn’t feel she is a star just yet, out looking for respect though

Mackenzie Dern vs. Virna Jandiroba in the works for UFC 256

Mackenzie Dern is keeping busy in 2020.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] is keeping busy.

The rising UFC strawweight contender is slated to compete for a third time in less than seven months as she return Dec. 12 at UFC 256, which takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Dern and Brazil’s [autotag]Virna Jandiroba[/autotag] have agreed to a strawweight bout, although contracts have yet to be signed.

MMA Junkie verified the news with multiple people close to the situation following an initial report from MMAFighting.com. The person requested anonymity because UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

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Dern (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is coming off a quick submission win over Randa Markos at UFC on ESPN+ 36 in August. Prior to that, she submitted Hannah Cifers to bounce back from her first professional loss. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is currently No. 14 in the UFC’s official 115-pound rankings.

Like Dern, Jandiroba (16-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is on a two-fight winning streak with both wins coming by submission. She defeated Mallory Martin in December 2019 and most recently Felice Herrig at UFC 252 in August. Jandiroba’s lone pro loss came in 2019 when she dropped a decision to former champion Carla Esparza at UFC on ESPN+ 8.

The latest UFC 256 lineup now includes:

  • Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson – for women’s featherweight title
  • Carla Esparza vs. Amanda Ribas
  • Omari Akhmedov vs. Marvin Vettori
  • Mackenzie Dern vs. Virna Jandiroba

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UFC on ESPN+ 36 medical suspensions: Tyron Woodley, Sarah Alpar, two others face 180-day terms

Three main card fighters and one prelim fighter are facing lengthy suspensions.

Former UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] is among four fighters facing potential 180-day medical suspensions as a result of damage sustained at UFC on ESPN+ 36 on Saturday.

Woodley suffered a rib injury in the fifth round of his main event fight against [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag], which resulted in a TKO. Monday, Woodley revealed his ribs were broken earlier in the fight and shifted on a fifth-round guillotine choke submission attempt, which led to the finish.

On Tuesday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

Joining Woodley on the list of UFC on ESPN+ 36 fighters facing potential six-month suspensions is co-headliner [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag], who fought to a draw with [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]. Price may have suffered a serious injury to his right hand, according to the medical records.

[autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag], who was submitted by [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] via armbar in the first round of their main card fight, injured her elbow and will need clearance to compete before her 180-day term is up.

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Preliminary card fighter and UFC debutant [autotag]Sarah Alpar[/autotag] suffered a nasal fracture as a result of damage sustained against [autotag]Jessica-Rose Clark[/autotag]. The finish garnered attention from many reporters and viewers alike, including UFC president Dana White. Midway through Round 3, referee Chris Tognoni stopped the fight for a legal knee. The action resumed, but Alpar was finished with strikes shortly thereafter.

Alpar has also been suspended 180 days – or until a doctor grants her clearance.

Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 36 medical suspensions:

  • Colby Covington: No suspension.
  • Tyron Woodley: Suspended 180 days or until left costochondral tear is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • Donald Cerrone: No suspension.
  • Niko Price: Suspended 180 days or until right hand X-ray is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • Mackenzie Dern: No suspension.
  • Randa Markos: Suspended 180 days or until left elbow is cleared by doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left eyebrow laceration.
  • [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]David Dvorak[/autotag]: Suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right foot pain.
  • [autotag]Jordan Espinosa[/autotag]: Suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left tibia contusion.
  • [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mirsad Bektic[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mara Borella[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • Jessica-Rose Clark: No suspension.
  • Sarah Alpar: Suspended 180 days or until nasal fracture is cleared by ENT doctor; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 15 days.
  • [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]T.J. Laramie[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Journey Newson[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days due to left eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to facial lacerations.
  • [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to facial abrasions.
  • [autotag]Tyson Nam[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Jerome Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.

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UFC on ESPN+ 36 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone gets highest payout

UFC on ESPN+ 36 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 36 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $169,000.

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 on ESPN+ 36 took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 36 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]: $20,000
vs. [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]David Dvorak[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jordan Espinosa[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Mirsad Bektic[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Mara Borella[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Jessica-Rose Clark[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Sarah Alpar[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]TJ Laramie[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Journey Newson[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Tyson Nam[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jerome Rivera[/autotag]: $3,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’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 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

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 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $4,598,500
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $35,603,000

UFC on ESPN+ 36 results: Mackenzie Dern sweeps, submits Randa Markos

Mackenzie Dern promised a slick submission win over Randa Markos at UFC on ESPN+ 36, and that’s exactly what she delivered.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] promised a slick submission win over [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN+ 36 on Saturday, and that’s exactly what she delivered.

Dern (9-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) needed just one opportunity to fight Markos (10-8-1 MMA, 6-7 UFC) on the canvas to get the job done. She took advantage of her best skill set and locked in a fight-ending armbar at the 3:44 mark of the first round, which moved her to 2-0 since returning to MMA after taking a layoff to give birth to her first child.

The women’s strawweight bout was part of the UFC on ESPN+ 36 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It streamed on ESPN+.

Markos came out looking to push a pace in the striking department. Dern attempted to fire back, but slipped on a kick and fell to her back. Markos made the perplexing choice to follow her to the mat, and Dern instantly went to work, eventually sweeping into top control. It was from there that Dern really put her grappling expertise to work, breaking down Markos’ defense and eventually isolating her left arm into the finish.

Dern was excited about her performance after the fact. The 27-year-old has now picked up three of her four UFC wins by submission, while Markos has dropped consecutive fights for the first time inside the octagon.

“I’m so happy,” Dern said in her post-fight interview with Jon Anik. “I don’t know why the girls want to stay on the ground with me. She came down into my guard, I didn’t take her down. … I’m so happy I got the win representing jiu-jitsu.”

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 36 results include:

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UFC on ESPN+ 36 predictions: Can Tyron Woodley be great again and upset Colby Covington?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN+ 36 main card in Las Vegas, featuring Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley.

Covington
vs.
Woodley		 Cerrone
vs.
Price		 Chimaev
vs.
Meerschaert		 Spann
vs.
Walker		 Dern
vs.
Markos		 Holland
vs.
Stewart
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2020: 99-62		 covington2020
Covington
(69%)		 price2020
Price
(52%)		 chimaev2020
Chimaev
(78%)		 walker2020
Walker
(62%)		 dern2020
Dern
(79%)		 holland2020
Holland
(79%)
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2020: 108-53		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2020: 107-54		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 markos2020
Markos		 holland2020
Holland
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2020: 107-54		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2020: 105-56
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Simon Head
@simonhead
2020: 105-56
trophy copy 2019 Champion*		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2020: 104-57		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2020: 104-57		 covington2020
Covington		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2020: 102-59
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 covington2020
Covington		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2020: 100-61		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2020: 98-63		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2020: 98-63
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 woodley2020
Woodley		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2020: 97-64		 covington2020
Covington		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2020: 95-66		 covington2020
Covington		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 stewart2020
Stewart
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2020: 69-92		 woodley2020
Woodley		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 meerschaert2020
Meerschaert		 spann2020
Spann		 markos2020
Markos		 stewart2020
Stewart

The UFC wraps up its lengthy Las Vegas run this week with a heated grudge match atop the bill.

UFC on ESPN+ 36 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, former interim welterweight champion [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) takes on former welterweight champ [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] (19-5-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC). Covington is more than a 3-1 favorite, and 12 of our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts are picking him to win.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC) meets [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) at welterweight. Price is a slight favorite in the fight, but he has just an 8-6 lead in the picks.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag] (31-13 MMA, 6-5 UFC) at middleweight looking for his third UFC win in a little more than two months. Chimaev is the biggest favorite on the main card at -450, and only one of our pickers is taking Meerschaert in an upset.

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 4-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at light heavyweight. And though Walker is a slight favorite, it’s Spann with an 8-6 picks lead.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is favored over [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag] (10-8-1 MMA, 6-7 UFC) in their women’s strawweight bout at around -175, but she’s got a big 12-2 blowout in the picks.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) does battle at middleweight against [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC). Holland is more than a 2-1 favorite and has an 11-3 lead in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Covington (69 percent), Price (52 percent), Chimaev (78 percent), Walker (62 percent), Dern (79 percent) and Hollandd (79 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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