Mackenzie Dern & Marina Rodriguez Have Next Fights Booked

UFC strawweight contenders Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez are both hoping to come back with a vengeance after tough losses. Dern will face Angela Hill in her return at a May 13th UFC Fight Night event, as reported by MMA Junkie. Meanwhile, Rodrigu…

UFC strawweight contenders Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez are both hoping to come back with a vengeance after tough losses. Dern will face Angela Hill in her return at a May 13th UFC Fight Night event, as reported by MMA Junkie. Meanwhile, Rodriguez will face fellow countrywoman Virna Jandiroba at UFC 288, per MMA Melotto….

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‘Dern Is All Gas, No Breaks’ – Fans React After Mackenzie Dern Bounces Back Against Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

After a couple of fights down that earned her pretty heavy criticism, Mackenzie Dern appeared to bounce back at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, earning a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez. The grappling prowess of Dern was on full display in the first round, nearly locking in an armbar attempt that appeared it’d be […]

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After a couple of fights down that earned her pretty heavy criticism, Mackenzie Dern appeared to bounce back at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, earning a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez.

The grappling prowess of Dern was on full display in the first round, nearly locking in an armbar attempt that appeared it’d be tight and could have snapped Godinez’s arm. The Mexican, however, battled back in the second round, with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist’s lack of striking defense, which has earned her the previously mentioned criticism, rearing its head again.

The third round was closely contested, with Dern landing stronger strikes — though some may feel Godinez landed cleaner ones — and landing another takedown.

Ultimately, Dern took the decision with 29-28 scores on all three judges’ scorecards.

Mackenzie Dern Gets Nod In Close Battle With Loopy Godinez At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

The result marks Dern’s first win in just over a year after back-to-back troubling performances against Jéssica Andrade and Amanda Lemos.

Godinez, meanwhile, has now lost back-to-back fights herself after a four-fight win streak.

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Mackenzie Dern Hopes For Tatiana Suarez Matchup After UFC Fight Night Abi Dhabi Win

Should one top contender not get their expected shot at Zhang Weili’s UFC strawweight gold, Mackenzie Dern is open to facing her in the meantime instead. Dern was among the big victors to emerge from this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where she got back in the […]

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Should one top contender not get their expected shot at Zhang Weili’s UFC strawweight gold, Mackenzie Dern is open to facing her in the meantime instead.

Dern was among the big victors to emerge from this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where she got back in the winner’s circle at the expense of Loopy Godinez.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist entered the contest riding a two-fight losing skid, having been knocked out by former champion Jéssica Andrade last November and outpointed by Amanda Lemos this past February.

After falling out of contention at 115 pounds, a bounce-back result was crucial for the grappling ace on August 3, and she achieved that on the scorecards after going the distance in a close contest with Godinez.

Having defended her spot in the strawweight pecking order, Dern has her sights set back on those above her and, specifically, an undefeated name…

Dern Likes Matchup Against Wrestling-Heavy Suarez

During a backstage interview for ESPN MMA, Dern reflected on her successful performance in Abu Dhabi and assessed what could lie next for her inside the Octagon.

While she acknowledged that the #1-ranked Tatiana Suarez is likely next in line for a shot at the belt, Dern put her name in the hat to face the undefeated American if that’s not the case.

“I’d like to fight November, hopefully,” Dern said. “I don’t really know too many people that are open. I would like to fight Tatiana Suarez if she doesn’t go for the belt. I think that would be a great matchup, a wrestler. So, I would like that fight.”

Suarez has won both of her fights since returning from an injury layoff that spanned close to four years. After defeating Montana De La Rosa up at flyweight, the Californian re-entered title contention at 115 pounds by submitting Andrade last August in Nashville.

Dern, meanwhile, replaced Suarez on late notice to face Lemos earlier this year. While that decision wasn’t rewarded with a triumph, the BJJ specialist has now got back to winning form and has her eyes on the ultimate UFC prize once again.

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UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Odds: Current Favorites For Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Vera vs. Figueiredo, Ferguson vs. Chiesa, & More

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup. The upcoming event takes place on Saturday, August 3, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 3 PM ET/12 PM PT, […]

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UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

The upcoming event takes place on Saturday, August 3, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 3 PM ET/12 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT.

Topping the lineup will be former interim bantamweight title challenger Cory Sandhagen, who is tasked with getting the better of undefeated Dagestani Umar Nurmagomedov if he’s to successfully defend his spot in the top five and stake his claim for shot at the undisputed gold.

Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see another unbeaten name in action as Sharabutdin Magomedov meets Micha? Oleksiejczuk on short notice, while Marlon Vera looks to revive his bantamweight championship ambitions at the expense of ex-flyweight kingpin Deiveson Figueiredo.

Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson, strawweight submission specialist Mackenzie Dern, and rising light heavyweight contender Azamat Murzakanov.

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Betting Odds

Listed below are the latest betting odds for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi (as of 8/2), courtesy of DraftKings.

Main Card:

  • Cory Sandhagen (-270) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (+340)
  • Sharabutdin Magomedov (-238) vs. Micha? Oleksiejczuk (+195)
  • Marlon Vera (+120) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (-142)
  • Tony Ferguson (+440) vs. Michael Chiesa (-600)
  • Mackenzie Dern (-118) vs. Loopy Godinez (-102)
  • Joel Álvarez (-166) vs. Elves Brener (+140)

Preliminary Card:

  • Azamat Murzakanov (-218) vs. Alonzo Menifield (+180)
  • Mohammad Yahya (+310) vs. Kaue Fernandes (-395)
  • Shamil Gaziev (-270) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (+220)
  • Guram Kutateladze (-230) vs. Jordan Vucenic (+190)
  • Victoria Dudakova (-175) vs. Sam Hughes (+145)
  • Jai Herbert (-130) vs. Rolando Berdoya (+110)
  • Sedriques Dumas (-130) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (+190)

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Vera Praises Dern For Improvements While Tackling Motherhood

Marlon Vera spoke about his teammate Mackenzie Dern and the vast improvements he has seen in her. In recent months, UFC bantamweight contender Marlon “Chito” Vera has come into his own in the division. He is on the cusp of getting his first…

Marlon Vera spoke about his teammate Mackenzie Dern and the vast improvements he has seen in her. In recent months, UFC bantamweight contender Marlon “Chito” Vera has come into his own in the division. He is on the cusp of getting his first title shot and has won four fights in a row. He is…

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O’Neill Assesses Next Step For Dern After Loss To Xiaonan

Casey O’Neill has shared what she would like to see next for Mackenzie Dern following Dern’s loss to Yan Xiaonan last weekend in the UFC Vegas 61 headliner. Dern vs. Xiaonan lived up to the hype of their prototypical grappler vs. striker ma…

Casey O’Neill has shared what she would like to see next for Mackenzie Dern following Dern’s loss to Yan Xiaonan last weekend in the UFC Vegas 61 headliner. Dern vs. Xiaonan lived up to the hype of their prototypical grappler vs. striker matchup at UFC Vegas 61. The two strawweights battled from the opening minutes…

Continue Reading O’Neill Assesses Next Step For Dern After Loss To Xiaonan at MMA News.