Mackenzie Dern is prepared for something.
After establishing herself as one of many strawweight division’s greatest stars, Dern will look to become a world champion when she meets Virna Jandiroba for the vacant 115-pound crown at UFC 321 on Saturday, October 25.
After all, Dern and Jandiroba aren’t any strangers to at least one one other, having already shared the Octagon in 2020. Dern outworked the Brazilian in their first meeting, scoring a unanimous choice amid a four-fight win streak.
“Having a rematch is thrilling,” Dern mentioned in an interview with the UFC. “I simply had one in opposition to Amanda Ribas—the primary struggle was a loss. The outcome this time was higher as a result of I used to be going after revenge. Now having the rematch, being on the successful aspect, it’s a little bit totally different as a result of I really feel extra stress.
“Since I received the primary time, I do know Virna will include every little thing, particularly as a result of it’s for the belt. She’s going to right her errors and has gotten so a lot better in these 5 years since we fought. I do know I’ve gotten rather a lot higher, too.”
Since developing quick in opposition to Dern the primary time round, Jandiroba has received six of her final seven and is at the moment driving a five-fight win streak.
“The primary struggle, we didn’t go to the bottom in any respect,” Dern continued. “We stayed placing for all three rounds. This time, since I do know she may come to play otherwise, we’re ready to go to the bottom, get up, level combating, strategic combating on the cage. We’re prepared for every little thing, and that’s what I believe will get us the win.”
Of their first assembly, Dern entered as a -155 favourite. At UFC 321, it’ll be a a lot totally different story, with Jandiroba at the moment trending as a -120 favourite on a number of sportsbooks.
