M. Dern dreams of an unprecedented submission in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
After putting on a show in his last performance, Mackenzie dern is close to her next Ultimate challenge. This Saturday (19), the Brazilian-American will face Randa markos and is more motivated than ever for a new victory. In an exclusive interview with SUPER FIGHTS, the strawweight (up to 52,1kg.) analyzed the confrontation against the North American, spoke about the preparation and projected a historic ending to the duel.
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Considered one of the biggest bets by Brazilian fans for the category, today, led by Weili Zhang, Dern wants a positive result to continue his trajectory towards the top of the category. A triumph can boost the athlete within the group.
Training during the pandemic
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, athletes have had to adapt their training to work in the safest way possible. Mackenzie, who has already had the opportunity to work within the new reality, stated that she is more adapted to the new routine than she was a few months ago.
“It’s changed a lot. I'm much more focused. The last fight I didn't know if it was going to happen. The date changed, I didn't know the location. Now that I'm a little more used to how gyms are, not being able to travel. When the last fight ended, I went back to the gym, started training again and they scheduled a new one. I had plenty of time to train. I'm really focused. I have never prepared so much for a fight, a very tough opponent,” she said.
Opponent analysis
In his last performance, Dern put on a real show by finishing Hannah Cifers in less than three minutes. Now, the Brazilian-American will face an opponent who is more prepared to fight on the ground. However, Mackenzie remains confident when talking about the confrontation and believes that, against Randa, she can do even better.
“I think it's better for me, because even if she has a sense of the ground, she won't want to go to the ground with me. It's going to be my weak point against her weak point, but I've been training so much that my weak point isn't even that big. I'm going to be superior in striking and it's going to scare her a little more. I know she’s not stupid on the floor, but the floor is my ocean”, explained Mackenzie.
More fights in 2020
Reaching his second appearance this year, Dern wants to stick to his schedule and, if possible, have one more fight this season. With the dream of getting as close as possible to the strawweight elite, the fighter spoke about her plans for a new commitment after this weekend.
“If I leave without injury, my goal is to have one more fight this year. November, December and then start 2021 100%, going upwards. It's very important to be there. I've been out of action for a year, because of the pregnancy. We can do as much gauntlet as we want, but nothing is the same as being there fighting. The more you can do, the more experience and preparation you have to fight for anything”, he explained.
Historic finish for Saturday
With nine appearances since officially moving to MMA, Mackenzie is feared for her excellent jiu-jitsu. Even with the qualities evident in the 'gentle art', the Brazilian-American projected a historic ending to Saturday's clash, combining striking with a submission never seen before in Ultimate.
“Ideally, I would throw punches, then hit my knee really hard. She falls, but is still in the fight, and I land an omoplata with a crucifix, which has never happened in the UFC, and then I finish. I get a performance bonus, because I showed superior striking and even managed a submission that never happened (laughs). Something like that will happen”, he concluded.
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