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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 29: Mackenzie Dern poses on the scale during the UFC weigh-in at UFC APEX on May 29, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 29: Mackenzie Dern poses on the scale during the UFC weigh-in at UFC APEX on May 29, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
An exciting fight at the women’s strawweight division has been added to a UFC Fight Night card in October. Fav-favourite Mackenzie Dern will return to take on Marina Rodriguez at the 115 lbs division. Both fighters are currently on the back of wins. They will look to make themselves relevant as a title contender with a win.
Dern has a professional record of 11-1 in her professional career. The submission specialist stopped Nina Nunes in her last fight to earn her seventh career win via same. A decision loss Amanda Ribas is her only stain in the record as a professional and in the UFC.
OFFICIAL 🚨 Strawweight contenders meet center stage in October!
💥 @MackenzieDern vs @WMMARZ pic.twitter.com/kAOHokrN1x
— UFC (@ufc) August 24, 2021
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Rodriguez, on the other hand, earned a decision win against Michelle Waterson in her last fight. It was her first-ever UFC main event. She is currently riding a two-fight winning streak after stopping Ribas after losing her first professional fight against Carla Esparza.
The former Dana White’s Contender Series alumni will make her eighth promotional appearance against Dern. SHe has won 4 fights in the UFC so far and lost only 1. The other two contests were draws.
Mackenzie Dern vs Marina Rodriguez: can the winner get a title shot?
Both fighters are elites of the 115 lbs division. However, there are other stars like Carla Esparza, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and more waiting for their turn at the gold. Rose Namajunas is expected to rematch Zhang Weili in her first title defense.
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 11: Mackenzie Dern poses on the scale during the UFC 256 weigh-in at UFC APEX on December 11, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Dern is ranked fourth currently in the division tied with Yan Xiaonan. As for Rodriguez, she occupies the sixth spot. She certainly garnered some attention with her win against a veteran like Waterson. So, the winner of the fight in October can certainly expect bigger things next.
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Even if Dern or Rodriguez doesn’t get to challenge for the title next, the winner might very well be in a title eliminator. However, a spectacular statement win for either of them can help them catapult to a title shot.
Who gets it done in October? Dern or Rodriguez? Let us know.
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