M. Rodriguez (right) defeated M. Dern (left) in the UFC Las Vegas 39. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
True Brazilian battle. In the main fight of UFC Las Vegas 39, held this Saturday (9), in the United States, Marina Rodriguez e Mackenzie dern They gave the spectators a real show. In a clash of styles, the gaucho managed to survive her opponent's excellent jiu-jitsu and made the high level of her striking count. After 25 well-fought minutes, the athlete was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.
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After winning yet another battle in the organization, Rodriguez took another important step towards his dream of fighting for a belt for the company. Before facing Dern, the gaucho was ranked sixth in the strawweight division (up to 52,1kg). With the triumph, the athlete should take fourth place from her opponent and shine even brighter in the Ultimate spotlight for a title clash.
Defeated in the event, Mackenzie came close to victory in the second round. A jiu-jitsu legend, the combatant came close to a submission, but ended up blocked by her high-level opponent, who showed that she was prepared for all areas of the dispute.
While Rodriguez reached the 15th positive result of his career, Dern was unable to extend his good phase. Now, Mackenzie has two stumbles in 13 appearances as a professional in MMA.
The fight
In the opening seconds, Marina took the initiative with a low kick. Dern responded in kind, but the attack passed in vain. The confrontation continued to be studied, with the fighters waiting for the best moment to attack. After just over a minute, Mackenzie risked the first fall, but the gaucho defended herself well. Halfway through the round, Dern landed a clean right cross on Marina's face, which shook her. Mackenzie tried to take advantage of the good moment and looked for a takedown against Rodriguez. The gaúcha was pressed against the bars, but trapped her rival's arm. Mackenzie managed to free her arm and continued to press the girl from Rio Grande do Sul against the bars. Marina managed to free herself and the duel was fought again in the center of the Octagon. In the final seconds, Rodriguez launched a sequence of jabs straight into the opponent's face and Mackenzie responded with a round punch, but there was no more time for action.
In the second stage, the first blow was also applied by the gaúcha, with a new kick to the waist line. Mackenzie absorbed the attack well and then went into a grappling fight. Rodriguez again defended the takedown well and moved away from his opponent. Dern looked for a takedown again and this time he got it. A specialist in jiu-jitsu, Dern soon advanced in the transition and was looking for the submission. Below, Marina defended herself as best she could, but the situation was delicate. Marina tried to surprise and, from below, threw a hand triangle. From below, Dern tried to free herself, but the woman from Rio Grande do Sul remained firmly in her position. Mackenzie exploded, managed to escape the attack and once again dominated on the ground. Dern once again dominated the actions and was pushing with an armbar. Marina managed to turn around and ease the grip, but Mackenzie continued to insist on ending the confrontation in the fast lane. In the final minute, Dern tried to get to the back and Rodriguez defended as best he could. Mackenzie got the mount and attacked her compatriot with ground and pound. The timer ran to zero and the gaúcha ended up saved by the bell.
The third stage began with Rodriguez focusing on striking. After two kicks to the waistline, the gaúcha completed the combination with a jab and direct. After just over a minute, Marina surprised Dern with a high kick. The blow, however, exploded in the rival's guard. The gaucho continued to be more aggressive in the stage and touched her opponent more forcefully. Rodriguez attacked his opponent again with a high kick. Dern was unable to repeat his good performance from previous attacks. Marina asserted her greater reach and scored with combinations of jabs and straight shots to the face and body. In the final seconds, Dern went for a grappling fight, but there was no more time for takedowns.
In the fourth round, Marina initially landed two powerful rights to Dern's face. Mackenzie tried to take the duel to the clinch, but Rodriguez was alert and defended well. Dern tried to go toe-to-toe with the Gaucho, but stopped at her opponent's technique in the stand-up fight. Rodriguez continued to grow in the confrontation and landed a clean direct shot on her compatriot's face. Even at a disadvantage, Mackenzie was surprising in his ability to absorb attacks. In the final minute, Rodriguez surprised again with a combination of punches. Dern continued to receive attacks, but, towards the end of the stage, he managed a beautiful fall. Dern reached mount, but Marina, again, was saved by the bell.
In the last stage, Mackenzie went up and accepted the frank exchange with Marina. The gaucho moved well and waited for the best moment to attack. With an overhand, Rodriguez hit his opponent again. The gaúcha had another good moment with a combination of crosses. Two minutes later, a left cross from Marina rocked Mackenzie, but the athlete continued to show strength and walked forward. Dern went back to fighting, but the gaucho escaped. Near the final minute, Marina decided to hit her rival with a clean cross to the face. Dern tried to get into her opponent's range of action, but Rodriguez dodged well. In the final seconds, Mackenzie went to the clinch and pressed her opponent against the bars. The gaucho protected herself and tried to avoid going to the ground against the jiu-jitsu legend. Marina walked away and started attacking Mackenzie, but there was no more time.
UFC Las Vegas 39 results
MAIN CARD
Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Marina Rodriguez derrotou Mackenzie dern in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Randy Brown derrotou Jared Gooden in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Matheus Nicolau derrotou Tim Elliott in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Maria Agapova finished Sabina mazo with a rear naked choke at 53 sec. from R3
Bantam weight (up to 62,1kg): Chris Gutierrez derrotou Felipe Cabocão in the judges' split decision (30-27. 28-29, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Alexander Romanov derrotou Jared Vanderaa by technical knockout at 4m43s of R2
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Damon Jackson derrotou Charles Rosa in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28. 29-27, 30-27)
Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Loopy Godinez finished Silvana Gomez Juarez with an armbar at 4m14s of R1
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Steve Garcia defeated Charlie Ontiveros by technical knockout at 1m51s of R1
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