Under the bright lights of Tampa, fans were ready to witness the rekindling of a rivalry! Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas, two of the UFC’s women’s strawweight stars, were set to clash again at UFC on ESPN 63/UFC Tampa on December 14. Their last meeting, back in 2019, was a turning point in both fighters’ careers. Ribas walked away with a unanimous decision victory, leaving Dern with lessons learned the hard way.

At the time, both women were just starting out their UFC journey, with the fight being Dern’s third and Ribas’s second Octagon appearance. But it looks like fate has other plans, as the two will now have to wait till 2025 to run it back! What caused this abrupt change, and what does it mean for these two athletes? Let’s take a look and explore all we know!

Mackenzie Dern and Ribas moved to the headlining spot for UFC Vegas 101 in 2025

According to multiple reports online, the Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas bout has now been scheduled for January 11, 2025. The location? The UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada, will be the headliner bout for the first UFC card of the year.

For fans, it’s bittersweet. Tampa’s Amalie Arena had been primed for action, marking the UFC’s return to the city after a five-year hiatus. What better way to celebrate than with a grudge match? Yet, the postponement brings an unexpected silver lining. The fight now spans five rounds in a main-event slot. With two extra rounds, both women have a chance to showcase their endurance and versatility.

Why was the bout postponed? At the time of writing, there isn’t any information available behind the reasons. But this clash isn’t just about revenge or validation. It’s about trajectory. Both Dern and Ribas have struggled to find consistency, their recent records a mirror of each other at 3-4. A win here could reignite a title run, while a loss might dim the spotlight.

Mackenzie Dern will be coming into the rematch with momentum on her side. Her recent victory over Loopy Godinez wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. After a two-fight losing streak, she reminded everyone why she was a force in the division. Meanwhile, for Amanda Ribas, the journey has been more turbulent. A loss to Rose Namajunas earlier this year showed her vulnerabilities but also highlighted her resilience. Ribas remains one of the division’s most well-rounded fighters.

Her blend of striking and grappling makes her a puzzle few can solve. The question remains: can she cement her dominance over Dern a second time? Or will the extra time to prepare give Dern the edge to settle the score between them? It remains to be seen. But even though UFC Tampa has lost one intriguing matchup, the main event is still on track and will see the return of ‘Chaos’ after a year-long hiatus!

Colby Covington ‘awake’ for his return as UFC Tampa loses Dern vs. Ribas 

The most prominent question hanging in the air at UFC Tampa is whether Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington can rise from the ashes of his past defeats and reclaim his place among the welterweight elite. After a year away, Covington is back, headlining against Joaquin Buckley. The stakes? Everything.

The American wrestler hasn’t fought since UFC 296, where he came up short against Leon Edwards in his third attempt at securing the welterweight title. It was a humbling moment for the brash fighter who had once seemed destined for undisputed gold.

In a rare moment of honesty during the UFC Journey series, Covington opened up about the aftermath of his third failed title shot and shared, “I lost and forgot who I was. It was a good reminder that woke me up again. I just had to cancel out the bad energy and couldn’t let the hype and ego get to my head.”

Standing across from him on December 14 will be Joaquin Buckley, a fighter known for his explosive knockouts and relentless drive. But is Covington worried? In his trademark manner, he stated, “Buckley’s skills compared to mine are non-existent. He is not anywhere near my level; he has nothing, and I have everything.”

In conclusion, Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas will have to wait a little longer to reignite their rivalry, but their postponed bout carries the promise of greater stakes and extended rounds. Meanwhile, UFC Tampa remains charged with anticipation, as Colby Covington seeks to reclaim his name under the bright lights. With Buckley standing in his way, the question isn’t just about skill but redemption. Can ‘Chaos’ remind the world of his greatness, or will ‘New Mansa’ carve his path to glory at Covington’s expense? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!