Strawweights Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas met for the second time in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 101, kicking off 2025 for the promotion.
While the night was peppered with newcomers and lesser knowns, making the card more about the future, Dern vs. Ribas 2 was very much about the present. And about how far both athletes had come since their first meeting, which Ribas had claimed via decision.
Early on, Dern was content to work on the feet, firing a 1-2 but finding herself clipped by a Ribas punch in response. Dern mixed in kicks to the legs, plus a teep to the midsection. Ribas, in turn, charged forward, firing a combination and landing at least once. Plenty of action, plenty of movement, but not a lot of damage through the opening two minutes.
Come the midway point of round one, Dern then dragged the fight into her wheelhouse, exploding into a takedown and landing it. Ribas, parallel to the fence but several feet from it, initially closed her guard, trying to tie Dern up. Dern was not about to be stymied, however, and found a bit of space to work, though there was no opening through which ti advance. Ribas wasn’t gambling at all off her back, focusing on defense rather than allowing Dern to set up a submission.
It was Ribas getting on top off a takedown early in round two, though that was still an opportunity for Dern, who worked to secure an arm. Ribas would free the limb, and spend the bulk of the round on top, avoiding submissions and finding enough space to do some damage. With about a minute on the clock, Dern threw up an Omoplata and used it to escape the position. Showing off her sublime jiu-jitsu skills, Dern then loved up an inverse crucifix of sorts, briefly tying up both of Ribas’s arms from behind her. Still, the round was a much better one for Ribas, who dominated about four minutes of it.
Round three found Ribas getting on top again, while Dern worked to sweep off her back. Brazil’s Ribas stayed tight to Dern, limiting the space she had to work with. Mackenzie finally completed the sweep (using the fence for an assist) with about a minute left in the frame, getting on top. From there, she was able to move to mount, then landed a few clubbing blows and latched onto an arm. Time was ticking away, but Ribas couldn’t gut it out, tapping just before the clock was about to run out!
The pair are now 1-1 under the UFC banner, leading to the possibility of a rubber match down the line.
Official Result: Mackenzie Dern def. Amanda Ribas by submission (arm-bar), Round 3, 4:56
