Tag: Marina Rodriguez

Marina Rodriguez Thinks Esparza Deserves UFC Strawweight Title Shot

Marina Rodriguez is of the belief that Carla Esparza has done her part to earn a UFC Strawweight Title opportunity. Rodriguez is climbing the 115-pound ranks. She is the number six-ranked UFC strawweight. She’s set to face Mackenzie Dern at a UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 9. During an interview with MMA News’ James […]

Continue Reading Marina Rodriguez Thinks Esparza Deserves UFC Strawweight Title Shot at MMA News.

Marina Rodriguez is of the belief that Carla Esparza has done her part to earn a UFC Strawweight Title opportunity.

Rodriguez is climbing the 115-pound ranks. She is the number six-ranked UFC strawweight. She’s set to face Mackenzie Dern at a UFC Fight Night event on Oct. 9.

During an interview with MMA News’ James Lynch, Rodriguez expressed her belief that there are plenty of worthy contenders at strawweight.

“If you look at the past four years, it’s been the same four people fighting for the belt. This division has many talented people, and there are many that deserve to be in the title conversation.”

With that said, Rodriguez feels Carla Esparza should be next in line to meet the winner of Rose Namajunas vs. Weili Zhang 2.

“I think it should be Carla. She did more than enough to earn (it). And now was the time to have someone new in the title picture and get the division moving again.  So she will be in a very tough place what (she) should do? Wait for a full year with maybe no fight (and) try to get her title shot? It’s complicated, but it’s part of the game.”

Esparza is riding a five-fight winning streak. She’s coming off a second-round TKO victory over Yan Xiaonan. Esparza was all class when discussing the UFC 268 title shot snub. As mentioned, the next strawweight title shot will be going to Zhang, who was stopped by Namajunas in their first meeting back in April.

Continue Reading Marina Rodriguez Thinks Esparza Deserves UFC Strawweight Title Shot at MMA News.

Mackenzie Dern Says Fight Offer Was Turned Down By Carla Esparza

Arizona native and grappling ace Mackenzie Dern claims the former inaugural strawweight champion turned her down before the Marina Rodriguez fight materialized. Slated for Oct. 9, two surging strawweights will vie for supremacy that advances them one s…

Arizona native and grappling ace Mackenzie Dern claims the former inaugural strawweight champion turned her down before the Marina Rodriguez fight materialized. Slated for Oct. 9, two surging strawweights will vie for supremacy that advances them one step closer to a championship opportunity. This bout is important for the division, and hurdles have been erected […]

Continue Reading Mackenzie Dern Says Fight Offer Was Turned Down By Carla Esparza at MMA News.

EXCLUSIVE | Mackenzie Dern Expects Submission Win Against Marina Rodriguez

Mackenzie DernMackenzie Dern headlines her first UFC event against Marina Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night Oct. 9. Dern, who is the #4 ranked women’s strawweight sat down to talk about her upcoming match against Rodriguez here at LowKick MMA. Dern was offered Rodriguez in Dec. but fell through. “In December of last year, when they offered […]

Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Dern headlines her first UFC event against Marina Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night Oct. 9.

Dern, who is the #4 ranked women’s strawweight sat down to talk about her upcoming match against Rodriguez here at LowKick MMA.

Dern was offered Rodriguez in Dec. but fell through. “In December of last year, when they offered the name it didn’t happen. I ended up fighting different people, but I knew, OK if they mention her now she’ll come back sooner or later.” Dern said.

“I saw her fight with Amanda Ribas, who I have my loss to. With Michelle Waterson and noticed her. I started following Marina on Instagram. Actually before I fought Marina, I followed Virna (Jandiroba) when she finished Felice Herrig (in Jiu-Jitsu) and then she was my next fight. Then I follow Marina and she was my next fight. I swear I’m not doing this on purpose.”

In terms of the stylistic matchup against Rodriguez ,Dern had this to say, “I think I match up good and I think we saw in the Amanda Ribas fight that I definitely can’t get too comfortable with her. She’s experienced and has more fights than me. Her length is really good. From seeing her fights in the UFC… It’s not a secret her weakness is the ground. I definitely think the way to win is to take her to the ground.”

Dern acknowledged the same way she has been studying the way Rodriguez fights, Rodriguez has been doing the same with Dern. she also explained how she recognizes Rodriguez has been spending months most likely working on her ground game. Dern pointed out that her weakness as being “too emotional” and likes to go for the finish.

Dern also had her own predictions for the upcoming fight as well. “I definitely don’t think it will go 5 rounds, although I am excited to show I can go 5 rounds. I think it’s going to be a submission and I think I’ll be able to get her on the ground and submit. I don’t think it will be easy , she has good distance and a lot of experience. I think there will be (I don’t know) maybe a couple of bloody noses and swelling of the eyes, but I think we’ll get it to the ground for a submission.”

It’s obvious that Dern has a rather extensive game plan coming into the fight against Rodriguez. Dern is on a 4 fight win streak while finishing 3 via submission. It’s apparent that the BJJ black belt is looking to finish heavy-hitting Rodriguez.

Do you think Mackenzie Dern will finish Marina Rodriguez via submission in their fight?

Marina Rodriguez Reveals Why Her Fight Against Dern Is In Jeopardy

It turns out that Marina Rodriguez and Mackenzie Dern is far from a done deal, so much so that the fight may be off altogether. Dana White recently came out and stated that Marina Rodriguez vs. Mackenzie Dern was as good as done and that the biggest qu…

It turns out that Marina Rodriguez and Mackenzie Dern is far from a done deal, so much so that the fight may be off altogether. Dana White recently came out and stated that Marina Rodriguez vs. Mackenzie Dern was as good as done and that the biggest question surrounding the fight was when it would […]

Continue Reading Marina Rodriguez Reveals Why Her Fight Against Dern Is In Jeopardy at MMA News.

Mackenzie Dern will face Marina Rodriguez next, per Dana White

Marina Rodriguez Mackenzie DernRising strawweight star Mackenzie Dern will face a tough test against Marina Rodriguez for her next fight, as announced by UFC president Dana White earlier today. In an interview with TMZ Sports, White said that Dern will battle Rodriguez for her next fight, on a date and venue to be determined. “She does have a […]

Marina Rodriguez Mackenzie Dern

Rising strawweight star Mackenzie Dern will face a tough test against Marina Rodriguez for her next fight, as announced by UFC president Dana White earlier today.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, White said that Dern will battle Rodriguez for her next fight, on a date and venue to be determined.

“She does have a fight coming up,” White said. “Hopefully, it’s done. My people hate when I do this. She’s taking on Marina Rodriguez next, which is a great fight.”

Dern and Rodriguez are the number 5 and number 6 contenders in the strawweight division, which has recently earned a spot as one of the deepest divisions in the UFC. Rodriguez is fresh off her unanimous decision win over Michelle Waterson at UFC Vegas 26, while Dern submitted Nina Ansaroff at UFC Vegas 23.

Dern and Rodriguez are both still in the running for title contention as well entering their planned fight. Strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is expected to fight either top contender Carla Esparza or a rematch with Zhang Weili for her first title defense in her second reign as champion.

The winner of the proposed Dern vs. Rodriguez fight is surely to be one of the next women in line for a shot at the belt. Following her win over Ansaroff, Dern spoke with LowKickMMA in an exclusive interview and said that she was looking at a potential fight with Joanna Jedrzejczyk but that matchup never materialized.

Namajunas earned a first-round knockout over Weili at UFC 261 to re-claim the belt and begin her second run as the belt holder.

Dern has been on a run since suffering her first loss against Amanda Ribas, having won four straight including the submission of Ansaroff. Rodriguez’s lone defeat in her professional career was to former champion Esparza at UFC Fight Island 3.

The women’s strawweight division continues to entertain and a matchup between Dern and Rodriguez should bring more clarity to the title conversation.

What do you think about the potential matchup between Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez?

UFC Vegas 26 Draws Number 1 Ratings For Saturday

UFC Vegas 26 on Saturday night which saw Marina Rodriguez face Michelle Waterson up a weight class on short notice. Although the card didn’t have a main event until a week before, the UFC drew in great ratings for the event. UFC Vegas 26 averaged…

UFC Vegas 26 on Saturday night which saw Marina Rodriguez face Michelle Waterson up a weight class on short notice. Although the card didn’t have a main event until a week before, the UFC drew in great ratings for the event. UFC Vegas 26 averaged 741,000 viewers during the broadcast, which kicked off just past […]