M. Dern wants to return to the cage to fight for his baby. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @mackenziedern
The North American, daughter of a Brazilian, Mackenzie dern, is close to having her third fight for Ultimate. This Saturday (12), the fighter faces Amanda ribas on the main card of UFC Tampa, which takes place in the United States. Even though she is undefeated in MMA, the athlete, signed as a promise between the straws (up to 52,1kg), needs to prove herself within the company. Against Amanda, Dern thinks the duel will be a test of her jiu-jitsu, as her opponent is also experienced in the 'gentle art'. The statement was made in an interview with 'Combate'.
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“I think the fight will end up going to the ground. We are jiu-jitsu black belts. I trained a lot in wrestling, which was my weakest point; a lot of striking too, as she’s not afraid of standing up,” commented the fighter.
Mackenzie, who still doesn't know if the fight will end before the horn sounds, with a submission, or if it will be decided by the judges' decision, as in his debut fight for the company, in 2018.
“I don't know if it's going to be quick or three rounds, but it's going to be a very aggressive fight and, God willing, I'm going to come away with the victory by submission,” said Dern.
By accepting the invitation to face Amanda, the American surprised many. The fighter became a mother four months ago and, while still breastfeeding, she signed the contract and remains committed to Ultimate. According to her, the pregnancy was a positive point for her cut and weight, as the athlete suffered from problems with this factor in the past, so much so that she was unable to reach the category limit in her commitment to UFC 224, in May last year. .
“The pregnancy was a surprise, but the best thing that happened in my life. It helped me lose fat. My body isn't as scared of weight cutting. It seems like I started from scratch, I lost a lot of weight, fat, breastfeeding too. I woke up weighing 53kg (on Wednesday – approximately 1kg up), had breakfast. The weight came off, I didn’t even need to sacrifice so much on my diet,” said Dern.
Ribas, the North American's rival this Saturday, will make his second appearance for Ultimate. Varginha from Minas Gerais comes from a victory in its debut against emily whitmire, in June this year. With eight fights and one defeat in her career, the Brazilian wants to continue her climb towards the elite of the category.
Mackenzie will make her eighth career appearance. Dern, who has never been beaten, wants to continue her winning streak and prove that she is, in fact, one of the important names in the category that today has Chinese Weili Zang as champion.
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