Mackenzie Dern vs. Marina Rodriguez set for upcoming UFC card
An intriguing matchup between top-10 ranked women’s strawweights Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez will take place at an upcoming UFC card.
UFC president Dana White confirmed with TMZ Sports that the UFC plans on having No. 5 ranked Dern takes on No. 6 ranked Rodriguez at an upcoming card, though he wasn’t able to confirm the date yet.
“Actually, we were just looking, (Dern) does have a fight coming up. I was just talking about her this morning. We haven’t announced it, I’m sure, but I’ll give it to you anyways. Hopefully, it’s done. My people hate when I do this. She’s taking on Marina Rodriguez next, which is a great fight. I don’t know the date off the top of my head,” White said.
Rodriguez just defeated Michelle Waterson in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Las Vegas, while Dern is coming off of a submission win over Nina Nunes in her last fight. They are two of the most exciting fighters at 115lbs and this should be a great fight between two hungry contenders. It’s possible the UFC will have these two fighters headline their own Fight Night card, although the match could be placed on the main card of any pay-per-view card considering the winner very well may earn a 115lbs title shot.
During the interview, White gushed over Dern, who has gone 4-1 since returning to the Octagon following the birth of her first child. The UFC bossman has been impressed with the improvements she’s shown.
“Since she had a baby she’s come back and it’s like she’s reborn again. She’s a whole different fighter. Physically, mentally, emotionally, technically, everything. I mean, she’s completely changed,” White said.
Who do you think wins this upcoming women’s strawweight battle between top contenders Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez?
