In the world of mixed martial arts, redemption is a powerful narrative, and UFC strawweight Mackenzie Dern’s recent victory over Amanda Ribas epitomizes this concept. After sustaining a decision loss to Ribas five years prior, Dern returned to the Octagon determined to not just win but to decisively establish her prowess. On Saturday night, Dern achieved this goal, securing a stunning submission via armbar with only four seconds left in the third round during the UFC’s inaugural event of 2025 at the Apex facility in Las Vegas. Such a dramatic finish adds an emotional layer to what was already a pivotal matchup in both fighters’ careers.
What made this fight particularly compelling was Dern’s visible evolution as she faced a formidable opponent known for her judo backgrounds, like Ribas. During the initial bout in 2019, Dern struggled significantly, failing to land any of her six takedown attempts. Fast forward to their latest encounter, and it’s apparent that Dern utilized her grappling intelligence to her advantage. Instead of solely relying on wrestling, she demonstrated an impressive capacity to initiate submissions from her back, creating chaotic scrambles that forced Ribas to constantly adapt. By isolating Ribas’ left arm after navigating through a complicated sequence, Dern showcased her technical acumen to seize a fleeting opportunity.
Despite her considerable skillset and a solid record of 15-5, Dern’s path has been anything but straightforward. Throughout her career, she has faced some top competitors, yielding mixed results, particularly against higher-ranked fighters. Before this victory, she experienced struggles against elite athletes, managing just one win against three losses against contenders ranked above her. However, her recent success against Ribas—now on a two-fight winning streak following a decision win over Lupita Godinez—underscores her status as a tenacious competitor who is finding her rhythm in the octagon.
Currently sitting at No. 6 in the UFC strawweight rankings, Dern’s sights are inevitably set on the title picture. As she climbs the ladder, she faces tough competition, with only one ranked fighter ahead of her poised to challenge for the championship—Tatiana Suarez. The outcome of Suarez’s upcoming battle against defending champion Zhang Weili could significantly influence how Dern navigates her trajectory toward a title shot.
In her post-fight comments, Dern maintained a humble attitude, avoiding calling out a future opponent directly, which speaks volumes about her focused approach. While she acknowledges her shortcomings, Dern is clearly committed to further enhancing her skill set, particularly her striking and takedown game, crucial areas that could solidify her status as a legitimate title contender.
In essence, Dern’s remarkable victory not only serves as personal vindication against Ribas but also reignites her aspirations within a fiercely competitive division. As fans and analysts closely watch her development, one thing remains clear: Mackenzie Dern is not just a fighter; she’s a relentless challenger on the path to greatness.