Mackenzie Dern will look to continue her hot streak when she faces Marina Rodriguez in the women’s strawweight main event of a UFC Fight Night scheduled for the APEX Facility in Las Vegas on Saturday 9 October 2021.
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Dern (11-1) has racked up four straight wins in the past 16 months, overcoming Hannah Cifers, Randa Markos, Virna Jandiroba and Nina Nunes. Known as a submission specialist (seven of her 11 wins have come via that method), the 28-year-old has made no secret of her desire to defeat Rodriguez in exactly the same manner come Sunday.
“I think her ground game has a lot to work on,” Dern explained. “I’ve seen her do a couple of elbows from the bottom, but more when the girl is just holding her on the ground.
“But I’ve seen her get up and giving her back, so I can imagine her camp is going to be a lot of takedown defence and maybe getting up using the cage to get up. I think her striking is so dangerous, but the ground has a lot to work on.”
Dern continued, “I think it’s going to be a first-round submission again this time. I definitely think I’ve found my way in MMA, kind of found what works for me.
“And hey, why would I want to stay too much getting punched in the face, taking all this damage, take more time recovering to get back into training when it’s clear that obviously taking it to the ground (works for me)?
“The girls are still getting better, the level on the ground, but I need to take advantage. That’s my strength, so I think it’s going to be a first-round submission.”
Rodriguez (14-1-2) has racked up two wins in her last two trips to the Octagon, taking down Amanda Ribas via TKO and Michelle Waterson on unanimous decision. The 34-year-old Brazilian will be relying on her experience and powerful striking to carry the day.
“When fight time comes, I will always have an answer to anything I have to face,” Rodriguez explained. “I am very confident that I can find the timing to get a KO, but it will depend a lot on what she will offer me in the fight.”
The main card opens with a middleweight match between Phil Hawes and Deron Winn; followed by Sabina Mazo v Mariya Agapova in the women’s flyweight division; a men’s flyweight clash between Tim Elliott and Matheus Nicolau; and a co-main welterweight meeting of Randy Brown and Jared Gooden.
UFC Fight Night: Dern v Rodriguez – Main card
- Main event: Women’s strawweight: Mackenzie Dern v Marina Rodriguez
- Welterweight: Randy Brown v Jared Gooden
- Flyweight: Tim Elliott v Matheus Nicolau
- Women’s flyweight: Sabina Mazo v Mariya Agapova
- Middleweight: Phil Hawes v Deron Winn