The rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 came with the highest of stakes — the UFC women’s strawweight title being on the line in the night’s co-main event.
Dern had won the pair’s first meeting, though of late, it was Jandiroba with the stronger resume, having won her last five fights including a shared opponent with Dern in Loopy Godinez.
The strawweight title fight opened with an exchange of leg kicks, a well Dern went back to again moments later. Dern hit the mark several times and added a knee when they clinched up; Jandiroba hadn’t quite yet found her range. Dern landed a right hand, then simply overpowered a Jandiroba takedown attempt, shoving her to the fence. Virna appeared to have round her range moments later, however, and landed a double-leg takedown just past two minutes in.
Happy as she might be fighting off her back, Dern did scramble free after a minute, firing yet another heavy right hand. Jandiroba opted to pursue another takedown rather than trade with Dern, but again, that was putting Dern in a position she was very comfortable in.
Dern opened round two landing another right hand; after some back-and-forth, Jandiroba exploded into a takedown and planted Dern on her back. Janrioba landed a few hammer fists from inside Dern’s guard, but Mackenzie was back to her feet before long. When Virna took the bout down, she got to spend some time there, finishing the round in control in a much better frame for her.
Virna Jandiroba had the fight back down just seconds into round three, though Dern was back up in a heartbeat. After a minute or so, it was Dern pursuing a takedown; while she came up short she drove Jandiroba into the fence. Jandiroba defended with elbows, while Dern fired a knee, then another. Coming off the fence, Jandiroba nearly landed a takedown, and tagged Dern with a punch. Dern regrouped, and put Jandiroba on the fence, but couldn’t find a way to get the Brazilian down. Instead, it was Jandiroba landing a trip moments later, getting back in Dern’s guard.
Dern got her hands going early in round four, mixing in a leg kick. Jandiroba countered with a left hand. Dern would look to land a takedown again in this round, but Jandiroba proved to have the defense to stay upright. Instead they moved back to center, exchanging, Dern putting the pressure on and finding a home for her jab. When Dern stumbled to the mat a moment later, she tried to lure Jandiroba down. The Brazilian didn’t accept, and instead, with a minute left, Dern finally landed a takedown of her own, working from guard. Potentially a pivotal moment, though not enough time for Dern to capitalize.
Jandiroba landed an early takedown in the final round, one Dern’s corner had told her was key to winning the fight. Jandiroba then tied Dern up along the fence when she got back up, eating away at the clock. When Jandiroba ducked in for another takedown, Dern seemingly accepted it, trying to position herself for a submission attempt. When that wasn’t there for her, she fired hammer fists off her back. Jandiroba would finally back off, with the ref stepping in to stand Dern back up anyway. A final minute remained, with the fight still potentially up for grabs. Dern had led on the feet, and was threatening off her back, but Jandiroba had won the wrestling battle with multiple takedowns landed. Dern, however, reversed a final takedown attempt and finished on top landing a few hammer fists, potentially securing the fight for her — though both corners hoisted their respective fighters on their shoulders.
Long carrying the promise of greatness with her, decorated BJJ star Mackenzie Dern was awarded the decision in the end — completing her journey to a UFC title after transitioning to MMA from jiu-jitsu years ago.
Official Result: Mackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
