Strawweight is quite frankly the deepest weight class for the ladies of the UFC. On Saturday at UFC Vegas 11, the division was represented by Canada’s Randa Markos and BJJ ace Mackenzie Dern — fighters who, in a different weight class, might be much closer to contendership.
Instead, Dern remained a prospect, Markos a curiosity. Mainly because of her prolific inconsistency, or consistent inconsistency perhaps. Making her 15th appearance in the octagon at UFC Vegas 11, Markos had never won two fights in a row. Nor had she lost two in a row.
Dern threw a high kick early, only for her legs to slip out from under her. Landing on her backside, though, might have been a plus for Dern, given her BJJ credentials. For some strange reason, Markos felt it would be a good idea to engage on the ground with a dry Dern early. And she was soon fending off arm-bars and triangles. It was shades of Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Mara Romero Borella from earlier in the night, frankly, which saw Borella hang out too long in Silva’s guard. However, in this case, Dern transitioned into mount, and began setting up an arm-triangle choke. Dern later turned to an arm-bar, and while Markos defended initially, that wouldn’t last long. Dern’s leg was across the Canadian’s neck, and she earned the tap soon enough.
SIMPLY UNSTOPPABLE.
Never, ever go to the ground with @MackenzieDern 🇧🇷
[ #UFCVegas11 – LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/pMN6F4Udv4
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2020
For the first time in her UFC career, Randa Markos has lost two straight. Mackenzie Dern, a multiple time champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, has now won two straight, and has her sixth career submission win.
Official Result: Mackenzie Dern def. Randa Markos by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 3:44
