BREAKING: In a stunning showdown at UFC 321, Mackenzie Dern has claimed the vacant UFC women’s strawweight title, defeating Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 48-47 and 49-46 in favor of Dern, solidifying her impressive comeback in the Octagon.
Dern’s victory, confirmed just moments ago, marks a significant milestone in her career and comes as she showcased her much-improved striking skills. Following the fight, a tearful Dern embraced her six-year-old daughter in the Octagon, reflecting the emotional weight of her achievement.
This title bout stemmed from the championship vacated by Zhang Weili, who is preparing for her upcoming fight against flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in November. The stakes were high as both fighters aimed to secure their place atop the division.
Earlier in their careers, Dern and Jandiroba faced off in December 2020, where Dern emerged victorious in a striking battle. However, this rematch saw Jandiroba attempting a different strategy, mixing takedowns with striking to keep Dern off balance. Yet, Dern was ready for every tactic Jandiroba employed, consistently winning the striking exchanges throughout the 25-minute fight.
“This feels amazing,” Dern expressed after her victory. “I was hoping for a knockout.”
In a display of her evolving skill set, Dern outstruck Jandiroba with an impressive tally of 247 to 152 in significant strikes. Despite having a mixed record of 5-4 in her previous fights, Dern’s relentless dedication to improving her striking proved decisive. Jandiroba entered the contest on a five-fight winning streak but was unable to capitalize on her ground game.
Throughout the fight, Jandiroba managed to take Dern down nine times, but she struggled to inflict significant damage. Dern’s ability to return to her feet consistently neutralized Jandiroba’s grappling attempts. By the end of the bout, Jandiroba’s face showed the toll of Dern’s striking, with visible swelling under her right eye.
As the fight progressed, both fighters exchanged fierce blows, with Jandiroba managing to land some punches that left Dern’s face marked as well. However, it was Dern’s superior striking that ultimately secured her championship title.
With this victory, Mackenzie Dern improves her record against Jandiroba to 2-0 and proudly joins the ranks of UFC champions. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Dern will defend her title moving forward.
The UFC landscape is shifting, and with Dern now at the helm of the strawweight division, all eyes will be on her next move. What happens next for the new champion remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Mackenzie Dern has proven she is a force to be reckoned with in the UFC.
