Mackenzie Dern is ready for anything.
Having established herself as one of the biggest stars in the strawweight division, Dern will look to become world champion when she takes on Vilna Jandilova for the vacant 115-pound title at UFC 321 on Saturday, October 25th.
Of course, Dern and Jandilova are no strangers to each other, having already shared the Octagon in 2020. Dern outclassed the Brazilian in their first encounter, earning a unanimous decision on a four-fight winning streak.
“It’s exciting to have a rematch,” Dern said in an interview with UFC. “I just fought Amanda Rivas and I lost the first fight. This time I was looking for revenge and the result was good. Now I’m on the winning side in the rematch and I’m feeling the pressure, so it’s a little different.
“I know from the first time I won that Vilna is going to bring everything, especially for the belt. She will right her mistakes and has gotten so much better in the last five years since we fought. I know that I’ve gotten so much better too.”
After falling short in her first match against Dern, Jandiroba has won six of her last seven matches and is currently on a five-game winning streak.
“In the first game, we didn’t go to the ground at all,” Dern continued. “We kept striking all three rounds. We know she might play differently this time, so we’re ready to go to the ground, stand up, point fight, fight strategically on the cage. We’re ready for everything, and I think that’s going to give us the win.”
In the first matchup, Dern entered as a -155 favorite. At UFC 321, things are much different, with Jandiroba currently trending as a -120 favorite at multiple sportsbooks.