UFC Vegas 101: Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas 2: Live round-by-round updates
A rematch between women's strawweight contenders Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas will headline UFC Vegas 101 later this evening (Jan. 11) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
While Dern (14-5) was once touted to be the next big thing at 115 pounds, a plethora of recent setbacks has relegated her to just another contender in the division.
She is 2-3 in her last five most recently securing a unanimous decision win over Lupita Godinez. While Dern suffered a loss to Ribas in their first meeting in 2019, if the jiu-jitsu maestro can avenge the loss this weekend, it could help her get back in the title mix.
Ribas (13-5) has jumped between strawweight and flyweight throughout her UFC career but has yet to land a title shot in either division. A win against Dern could be the perfect stepping stone to get into the strawweight title picture.
The Marcelo Ribas Team pupil is 2-3 in her last five, most recently suffering a unanimous decision loss against former champion Rose Namajunas.
The odds maker has positioned Ribas as a -198 favorite over Dern (+164 underdog) for the matchup.
The main card of the UFC Vegas 101 is now underway. Stick with Sportskeeda for live coverage and play-by-play updates from the fight card.
Check out the final face-off between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas below:
UFC Vegas 101: Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas 2
Round 1
As Round 1 unfolds Dern is employing calf and teep kicks to keep her opponent at range. Ribas however is crisp with her strikes as she connects a combination to her opponent's head.
Ribas seems to have the upper hand on the feet. Dern quickly explodes on a single leg and puts her opponent on the canvas. She secures top control, but Ribas is defending well and incurs little in terms of damage.
Apart from a few shots to Ribas' midsection from mount, Dern fails to do any damage.
Our score: 10-9 Dern.
Round 2
Dern goes for another takedown, but this time she gets reversed and ends up on the bottom. However, the accomplished jiu-jitsu fighter is already working towards an arm-bar.
Ribas however, slides her hand out but still maintains top control. Elbows to the head connect for Dern and Ribas answers with shots to the midsection. Out of nowhere, Dern sets up a beautiful omoplata. While she fails to secure the submission, it helps her reverse position, and secure top control.
Our score: 10-9 Dern.
Round 3
Ribas is connecting effortlessly on her foe as the third round commences. Sensing she is at a disadvantage on the feet, Dern tries to force a takedown, but once again gets reversed and ends up on the bottom.
Despite securing top control, Ribas is finding it hard to do any meaningful damage. Wow!!! Dern sets up an armbar, and a look of concern appears on Ribas' face. The jiu-jitsu aficionado flips his opponent over to secure top control. From there she transitions to full mount before raining down punches.
Dern locks in an arm bar during the dying seconds of the round. She has her opponent's arm fully extended. Wow!!! Ribas taps out. Dern is the victor.
Official result: Mackenzie Dern def. Amanda Ribas via submission. (Arm-bar 4:56 of Round 3)
Check out the closing moments of the UFC Vegas 101 main event below: