The UFC’s return to Tampa, Florida is official.
First reported by BJPenn.com, the Fight Night event is set for December 14, 2024, and will mark the final event of the promotion’s calendar year. UFC officials confirmed the date, which will take place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Among the first bouts announced, a rematch between ranked strawweights as Mackenzie Dern (14-5) takes on Amanda Ribas (13-5).
Ag.Fight was first to break news of the rematch, which comes five years on from their first meeting in 2019.
In that encounter, it was Ribas coming away with the unanimous decision win, in what was the Brazilian’s second fight inside the octagon. Coincidentally or not, that fight also took place in Tampa Bay.
The bout was Dern’s third fight under the UFC banner, and marked the first loss of her professional fighting career. She would bounce back with four straight wins.
More recently, Mackenzie Dern picked up a win earlier this month again Loopy Godinez, then found herself submitted by Ffion Davies in a grappling match at the recent Craig Jones Invitational.
Ribas will enter the pair’s rematch off a loss to ex-115lb champ “Thug” Rose Namajunas, in a flyweight fight.
Also booked for December 14, 2024 in Tampa, FL is light heavyweight showdown featuring Dustin Jacoby (19-9-1) and Vitor Petrino (11-1). Both men being known as finishes, fireworks are to be expected in this one.
Jacoby enters the bout off back-to-back losses, with Petrino will look to bounce back from the first loss of his career, against Anthony Smith.
News of Jacoby vs. Petrino was first reported by MMA Junkie. The promotion last touched down in Tampa in 2019, with the card headlined by Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson. The December date will be the UFC’s fourth visit to the Florida city.
