UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern will seemingly have the chance to end her 2024 on a win streak in “The Sunshine State.”
Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion recently confirmed its schedule for the remainder of 2024, with 15 events set across nine different cities. Tasked with closing out the year is Tampa, Florida, where a UFC Fight Night will take place on December 14.
While the card remains without a main event as it stands, one notable matchup has been reported. According to Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight, the #8-ranked Dern (14-5) is set to run it back with Amanda Ribas over five years on from their first meeting.
Dern Set For Chance To Avenge First MMA Loss At UFC Fight Night Tampa
When they share the Octagon for a second time on Dec. 14, Dern will be looking to avenge her loss to Ribas and finish the year with consecutive triumphs.
Dern, an ADCC and no gi BJJ (black belt) world champion, enjoyed an unbeaten start to MMA life. But she had her record blemished following seven straight wins when she ran into Ribas in 2019, losing by way of unanimous decision.
While a four-fight win streak brought Dern back into contention, the grappling specialist has been inconsistent ever since and recently tasted her first losing skid after defeats to Jéssica Andrade and Amanda Lemos.
Having bounced back by outpointing Loopy Godinez in Abu Dhabi this month, Dern will look to enjoy a run of victories to reignite her title ambitions.
Lemos will hope to put a stop to those plans by repeating her feat from five years ago. The Brazilian currently finds herself ranked at both strawweight and flyweight, with her most recent outing coming in defeat opposite Rose Namajunas at 125 pounds.
She’ll now return to the weight at which she earned a bonus with a TKO of Luana Pinheiro last November, looking to defend her #5 spot against her fellow Countrywoman Dern.
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