Mackenzie Dern is the new UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, and she already has an idea of who her first title challenger could be.
Dern and Virna Jandiroba clashed for the vacant 115-pound gold in the UFC 321 co-main event. This was a rematch of their 2020 fight, which Dern won by unanimous decision. The rematch in Abu Dhabi lasted all five rounds and Dern had all three judges awarding her the title win.
Speaking to reporters during the UFC 321 post-fight press conference, Dern revealed which name besides Zhang Weili could fight for her gold next (h/t MMA Junkie).
“I don’t know how much control I have now as champion,” Dern said. “I don’t know how much my word and my decisions are in play. But I am here to defend it, so whoever is sent to me, I will be ready. I don’t know if (Zhang) Weili (will come back), but I would definitely like to fight Tatiana (Suarez). Maybe she will get another fight. I want to have a few more fights with a few wrestlers.”
Suarez last raced in September. She defeated Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision. It was a nice victory for Suarez, who suffered a one-sided loss to Weili, which was contested for the strawweight gold. It was the first professional MMA loss on Suarez’s record.
Weili will challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship on November 22. The fight will be featured on the UFC 322 card in New York City. Time will tell what Weili will decide to do after the super fight, regardless of the outcome.
As for Dern, she’ll be hoping to prove that her reign at the top of the 250-pound mountain has a lasting future. BJPenn.com will keep you updated on what’s next for Dern in the coming months.
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