Mackenzie Dern faces Amanda Ribas practically 2,000 days after the Brazilian handed her the primary lack of her MMA profession in Tampa, Fla., in a unanimous determination. They now rematch after competing internationally below the UFC banner, and Dern feels assured she’s a unique girl this time round.
Dern entered the octagon to face Ribas for the primary time since giving beginning to her daughter Moa and now admits she wasn’t able to struggle.
“In my head, it appears like I wasn’t even there,” Dern instructed MMA Preventing. “It doesn’t even seem like it was me preventing there. The physique, each bodily and when it comes to hormones, when it comes to coaching and coaches and stuff like that. She was extra skilled and well-prepared than I used to be on the time. I even assume I fought nicely, given the circumstances.”
Dern mentioned she solely re-watched that strawweight bout a few occasions prior to now 5 years, admitting that “I type of needed to overlook that it occurred.” The jiu-jitsu ace was 7-0 within the sport on the time and 2-0 within the UFC and mentioned the one motive she fought was to get again in rhythm after “an extended break” in being pregnant.
Ribas was additionally younger within the sport, 1-0 contained in the octagon and 7-1 total as an expert.
“Losses don’t imply that a lot in jiu-jitsu, ?” Dern mentioned. “You’ll be able to have 10 losses and it doesn’t have an effect on your file. When you have 100 wins, you’re high-quality. You lose to a lady at present and may struggle her once more subsequent week. I needed to struggle as shortly as potential so I wouldn’t keep away for much longer. I knew that the percentages of me shedding had been a bit greater, however I nonetheless believed I might win. I nonetheless assume I might have gained regardless of my circumstances. It was my first loss, and now I perceive MMA. I perceive that data make a distinction, successful streaks. Being an undefeated athlete is intimidating, individuals respect you extra.
“I believe [that loss] modified the course of my profession. Possibly I might have waited somewhat longer, however I assumed I used to be high-quality. I ought to have waited. I believe I might nonetheless have misplaced in my profession, it’s not like I might have by no means misplaced. It’s just like the Amanda Lemos struggle in Anaheim [in February 2024]. Now, once I take a look at my file, I’m like, rattling, three of my final 5 fights are losses. But it surely was type of on brief discover after Tatiana [Suarez] pulled out. The Amanda Lemos struggle, I believe that was price it. However the Amanda Ribas struggle, I believe I ought to have waited. But it surely’s a part of our careers, it helps us develop. I’m extra calm and affected person now. I’m nonetheless engaged on that now that, and I’m 31 now.”
Dern gained 4 in a row after that Ribas defeat in 2019, tapping out the likes of Nina Nunes, Randa Markos, and Hannah Cifers, plus a call over Virna Jandiroba. She likes the Ribas rematch as a solution to present her evolution over the previous few years.
“Individuals don’t see a lot totally different struggle after struggle, however a rematch after 5 years, individuals will see how a lot I’ve developed,” Dern mentioned. “The objective is to win. I don’t have in my head that I wish to submit her, that I wish to knock her out, that I wish to win the Struggle of the Night time bonus. I believe now we have what it takes to do all that, however the thought is to win. Being 5 rounds is nice. I’m extra calm now, I really feel I can strike now. I’m not a striker, however I get it now. As grapplers, we are inclined to rush for takedowns with zero distance. I do wish to take her down, that’s the objective, however I really feel snug [on the feet] now. It’s not that rush to shoot like loopy and struggle with no approach if I get punched.
“I didn’t see, think about myself as a champion again then, and I see that potential now. I’m a very totally different individual, ? I believe Amanda remains to be the identical, actually. She’s gotten higher as an athlete, as a lady, has extra expertise, however I don’t see many variations in her sport. I believe I’ve modified rather a lot. Wins and losses may nonetheless come, clearly, however I believe she’ll be extra stunned coping with me in these 5 rounds than I’ll be at her.”
