- George Chung
- Jan 7, 2025
- 3 min read
UFC fans, get ready for fireworks! The octagon will ignite on Saturday, January 11, 2025, as Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas square off in a high-stakes rematch in the UFC’s first main event of the year. This isn’t just any fight—this is a chance for redemption, a shot at climbing closer to title contention, and a test of how far two elite strawweights have come since their initial clash in 2019.
A Look Back: Dern vs. Ribas 1
Their first encounter was a wake-up call for Dern. Ribas didn’t just win that night—she dominated. Dern, known for her world-class grappling, was unable to secure a single takedown, going 0 for 6 on her attempts. Meanwhile, Ribas put on a striking clinic, landing a whopping 74 significant strikes to Dern’s 20 and cruising to a unanimous decision victory.
That fight may feel like ancient history now, but the lessons learned have clearly shaped both women into more complete fighters. Five years is a long time in the fight game, and this rematch promises to be a whole different beast.
The Evolution of Ribas
Since their first fight, Ribas has blossomed into one of the division’s most reliable strikers. Her ability to control the distance and pace of fights is evident in her impressive significant strike differentials:
+32 vs. Luana Pinheiro
+33 vs. Virna Jandiroba
+49 vs. Randa Markos
+54 vs. Mackenzie Dern (in their first fight)
But it’s not just her offense that’s impressive—Ribas boasts a stellar 67% strike defense, placing her second in strawweight history. In a division where precision can mean the difference between winning and losing, Ribas’ ability to evade danger makes her a formidable foe on the feet.
The Grappling Queen: Mackenzie Dern
While Ribas shines in striking, Dern reigns supreme on the ground. Known as the submission queen of the strawweight division, Dern holds the record for the most submission wins at 115 pounds, with four to her name. Her relentless ground game isn’t about stalling—when Dern gets top control, she’s always hunting for a finish. Case in point:
167 ground strikes vs. Yan Xiaonan in 2022 (5th most in strawweight history)
147 ground strikes vs. Angela Hill (6th most in strawweight history)
Dern’s 15 submission attempts are the most in divisional history, and with over 55 minutes of control time, she’s proven time and again that once the fight hits the mat, it’s her world.
The Key to Victory: Who Controls the Fight?
The question looming over this rematch is simple: Can Dern finally take Ribas down? Ribas’ takedown defense has been rock-solid, allowing just four successful takedowns in 11 UFC fights. At strawweight, her takedown defense rate stands at 85.7%, second only to Jinh Yu Frey in divisional history.
For Ribas, keeping the fight standing and outpointing Dern on the feet is the clearest path to victory. For Dern, the challenge remains what it was in 2019—closing the distance, securing the takedown, and turning the bout into a grappling contest where she thrives.
Both women have something to prove. Dern wants to show that she’s evolved beyond her grappling roots and can overcome a fighter who once bested her. Ribas is out to prove that her first win wasn’t a fluke and that she’s ready to break into the title picture.
This is a grudge match, a statement fight, and a perfect way to kick off the UFC’s 2025 campaign.
Who will take the next big step toward the strawweight elite? Tune in on Saturday, January 11, at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT on ESPN+ to find out!
