Riding the wave of Amanda, Cyborg and Jéssica, Mackenzie and Virna fight at UFC 321 to put Brazil on top

Virna and Mackenzie are jiu-jitsu experts and top UFC fighters. Photo: Reproduction/Super Fights Montage

even before the UFC 321 If this happens, Brazil already has a special reason to celebrate. This Saturday (25), in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the country will have another belt. All because Mackenzie dern e Virna jandiroba will measure their strength in the co-main fight of the event to determine who will win the vacant strawweight belt (up to 52,2 kg).

How Zhang Weili decided to venture into flyweight (up to 57 kg) to challenge Valentina Shevchenko Seeking her second title in a different weight class, she had to relinquish her strawweight belt. With the top spot vacant, the UFC selected the Brazilians for the title. Thus, Brazil will have its fourth champion in the company's history. The winner of Virna vs. Mackenzie will join the select group of Amanda nunes, Chris Cyborg e Jessica Andrade.

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Amanda is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

The history of Brazilian women holding the UFC belt began with Amanda nunes. In 2016, Leoa completed Miesha Tate in the first round, beginning his long reign at bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg).

Cyborg is an MMA legend who has won titles across multiple organizations. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/criscyborg

In 2017, it was time to Chris Cyborg shine. The combat sports veteran dominated Tonya Evinger and knocked her out in the third round, winning the featherweight belt (up to 65,8 kg).

Amanda displays the UFC belts. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

The following season, Amanda shone again. The Brazilian challenged her compatriot to a UFC champion superfight and shocked the world. In an incredible 51 seconds, the Bahian knocked out Cyborg, simultaneously winning the featherweight title.

Jessica is one of the greatest names in the history of women's MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

Already in 2019, Jessica Andrade made history by becoming strawweight champion (up to 52,2 kg). In Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian applied a violent slam on Rose namajunas, knocking her out in the second round.

History and Responsibility

Now it's Mackenzie or Virna's turn to take the UFC's top spot and continue the trio's legacy. Interestingly, strawweight is a division teeming with Brazilian fighters in the top 15. Therefore, without Zhang Weili, the new era in the division will feature a Brazilian athlete as champion and, who knows, could feature new fights between compatriots, given the constant evolution of women's MMA.

Fighters have already faced each other

The main fight of UFC 321 This marks the second time Mackenzie and Virna will meet in the octagon. The first fight between the Brazilians took place in 2020, and on that occasion, Dern defeated Jandiroba by unanimous decision.

First face-off between Virna and Mackenzie

Brazilian duel for the title! @VirnaJandiroba e @MackenzieDern compete for the strawweight belt in #UFC321! Check out the stare at the press conference!

Saturday (25) | Watch live on @UFCFightPassBR!@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #inAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/Cip57IFHqZ

- UFC Brazil (@UFCBrasil) October 23, 2025