© Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

 

UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2 - Main Event Breakdown: Amanda Ribas vs. Mackenzie Dern

On January 11, 2025, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, a pivotal women’s strawweight main event will see a highly anticipated rematch between Amanda Ribas and Mackenzie Dern. Both fighters bring a mix of world-class grappling and striking to the octagon, promising a thrilling contest for fans of technical MMA.

 

Fighter Backgrounds

Amanda Ribas

Amanda Ribas (13-5-0) represents the Ribas Family gym and is one of the most versatile competitors in the women’s strawweight division. Ribas holds notable wins over Viviane Araujo, Paige VanZant, and Virna Jandiroba. Her ability to blend striking and grappling has made her a constant threat in the division. Having previously defeated Dern in their 2019 matchup via unanimous decision, Ribas enters this rematch with confidence and momentum following her recent TKO victory over Luana Pinheiro.

Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Dern (14-5-0), a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under RVCA, is one of the most decorated submission artists in the UFC. With seven of her victories coming via submission, Dern’s ground game is her strongest asset. Despite some recent setbacks, including losses to Amanda Lemos and Jessica Andrade, Dern showcased her grit and determination in her unanimous decision win against Loopy Godínez in August 2024. This rematch offers her an opportunity to avenge her earlier loss to Ribas.

Fighting Styles and Strengths

Amanda Ribas

• Striking Improvements: Ribas has steadily refined her striking, enabling her to dictate the pace in both long-range exchanges and close-quarters combat.
• Grappling and Takedown Defense: With a background in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Ribas is adept at neutralizing submission threats and controlling opponents on the mat.
• Cardio and Durability: Ribas’s conditioning has consistently allowed her to maintain high output and recover from adversity.

Mackenzie Dern

• Elite Submissions: Dern’s submissions are world-class, with an arsenal that includes armbars, chokes, and sweeps to dominate on the ground.
• Improved Striking: While still evolving, Dern’s striking has become a more effective complement to her grappling.
• Pressure Game: Dern thrives when she can impose her will, forcing opponents into grappling exchanges where she excels.

Recent Performances

Amanda Ribas

Ribas bounced back from a tough loss to Maycee Barber with an impressive TKO over Luana Pinheiro in November 2023. This win showcased her ability to finish fights, an aspect she has been working to enhance. Prior to that, Ribas suffered a five-round decision loss to Rose Namajunas, where her striking improvements were evident despite the defeat.

Mackenzie Dern

Dern rebounded from back-to-back losses to Amanda Lemos and Jessica Andrade with a decisive win against Loopy Godínez. In this fight, Dern displayed improved pacing and striking, coupled with her signature grappling prowess. However, her challenge remains consistently implementing her game plan against well-rounded fighters like Ribas.

Odds and Betting Information

Fighter	Odds
Amanda Ribas	-200
Mackenzie Dern	+170

Amanda Ribas enters as the favorite at -200, reflecting her well-rounded skill set and prior victory over Dern. Mackenzie Dern, as the underdog at +170, offers intrigue due to her submission threat and potential to turn the tide with a dominant ground game.

Keys to Victory

Amanda Ribas

• Control the Distance: Use her reach advantage to keep Dern at bay and avoid prolonged grappling exchanges.
• Mix Striking and Takedowns: Blend her improved striking with well-timed takedowns to disrupt Dern’s rhythm.
• Stay Composed: Avoid rushing into exchanges that could lead to Dern securing a dominant position on the ground.

Mackenzie Dern

• Force Grappling Exchanges: Push Ribas to the cage or the mat to create submission opportunities.
• Pressure Striking: Use aggressive striking to close the distance and set up takedowns.
• Exploit Openings: Look for mistakes during Ribas’s transitions to capitalize with submissions.

Prediction