UFC Vegas 101 kicked off Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) 2025 campaign this past weekend (Sat., Jan. 11, 2025) inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, leaving several fighters feeling the post-fight blues.
Among them was Abdul Razak Alhassan, who was viciously knocked out by Cesar Almeida (see it again here). And Carlston Harris, who was also stopped via strikes in the co-main event by Santiago Ponzinibbio (highlights). But, which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now a few days removed from the show?
Coming into the event, Ribas was hoping to get back into the win column and help erase the memory of the tough defeat at the hands of Rose Namajunas in March 2024. And she had all the confidence in the world — she already held a win over Dern in her back pocket.
Things started off fairly even through the first couple of rounds, with both women utilizing their wrestling, trying to gain the advantage early. Ribas did have some success against her old foe, but in the third round she left a slight opening while she was in top control that allowed Dern to pull off a sweep. That was all she needed to sink in a limb-stretching armbar that forced the tap with just four seconds remaining in the third round.
With the loss, Ribas has now dropped two straight and is just 1-3 over her last four outings inside the Octagon. In fact, since defeating Dern five years ago, she is just 5-5, which simply won’t cut it if she ever wants to make a run at the title. Despite the defeat, Ribas was in good spirits post-fight.
“Off to the next one! Thanks to all the support, messages, and barbecues you’ve done,” read an Instagram post.
The loss is a tough one for the Brazilian contender because it could very well boot her from the Top 10 in the rankings where she currently sits at No. 8. That said, the 31-year old still has plenty of time to turn things around. She has the talent, she just needs to get back to basics and find a formula that will allow her to get back to her winning ways.
As for what’s next, former UFC champ-champ, Conor McGregor, called for a trilogy fight between the talented ladies, since they are now tied at one win apiece.
“Great fight! Awesome showcase Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas,” he wrote on X. “An excellent rivalry between the two Brazilians! So good! 1 a piece now, I would definitely love to see this trilogy!”
While a third fight between them is feasible down the road, perhaps a fight against Loopy Godinez is more likely for Ribas in the immediate future. Godinez’s last loss came at the hands of Dern. She is also on a two-fight losing streak and is currently ranked three spots behind Ribas at No. 11. It would be a crucial matchup for both ladies because while one would get back on track, the other would suffer her third straight defeat.
The tough part of the fight business.
For complete UFC Vegas 101 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.