Mackenzie Dern: UFC 256 acquire showed it is unsafe to stand and trade with me

Mackenzie Dern is devoid of a question one of the most effective grapplers in all of women’s blended martial arts (MMA), profitable 6 fights in her beat vocation via submission. And that is not even counting her many conquests in the competitive entire world of jiu-jitsu.

But Dern is not a 1-trick pony, as evidenced by her overall performance versus Virna Jandiroba past Saturday evening (Dec. 12, 2020) at UFC 256 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Indeed, Dern and Jandiroba spent a excellent part of the bout heading strike-for-strike, with Mackenzie profitable the the vast majority of the exchanges which helped her win a unanimous selection.

It is Dern’s hope that she showed the rest of the Strawweights that standing with her is a harmful recreation to play.

“I think that the ladies in the major 10 will look at this Jandiroba battle and think that striking is the essential to conquer, due to the fact Jandiroba is a grappler and striking is her weakness.” Mackenzie mentioned in an interview with UFC Brasil (through Bloody Elbow).

“It was a near struggle. The only factor I’ll hold operating on is my striking, so if they imagine my striking is poor, it’s getting far better pretty soon. They’ll have a surprise. I desired to be respected on the toes. I’m extremely happy with my general performance, I confirmed it is hazardous to stand with me. I have coronary heart. It is really hard to get me down, but I have no challenge staying on the toes if I need to have to. I don’t think any individual will want to battle me on the floor.”

The win was Dern’s third straight after struggling the to start with reduction of her MMA vocation at the hands of Amanda Ribas in October of 2019. Now rated No. 11, Dern suggests she envisions herself preventing for the 115-pound title sometime in 2021.

“I’m very happy with my 2020. I may perhaps combat for the belt by the finish of 2021. Of training course I preferred to struggle someone ahead of me in the rankings. I’m in no rush to fight in January or February, but I’ll keep on schooling in circumstance I need to have to fight on limited discover,” she additional. “Maybe I’ll combat once again in March or April. Let’s see how the position adjustments. Then it’s less complicated to see what’s a superior combat for me.”

Most likely a win against this proficient striker can get her just one step closer to that target.