UFC Tampa results: Amanda Ribas uses crisp striking to hand Mackenzie Dern first loss

On Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, the UFC returned to Florida for UFC on ESPN+ 19.

The event took place at Amalie Arena in Tampa and was headlined by a women’s strawweight bout between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson.

Another women’s strawweight matchup took place on the card as Mackenzie Dern returns to action for the first time after giving birth to her first child to face Amanda Ribas. Dern is undefeated in her seven fight pro career as she enters the Octagon for the first time since her first round submission win over Amanda Cooper at UFC 224 in May 2018.

Ribas is coming off of her successful UFC debut at June’s UFC on ESPN 3 event. The 26-year-old defeated Emily Whitmire via second round submission to improve her record to 7-1.

Here is how the 115-pound matchup between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas went down at UFC Tampa, including round by round scoring. For full UFC Tampa results, check them out right here. 

ROUND 1

For just having a baby four months ago, Dern looks in phenomenal shape. They meet in the center and Dern comes out throwing combinations. Dern lands a right hand, but eats a left from Ribas that sends her back a bit. Dern lands a right hand and eats a hard one from Ribas. Counter right hand from Ribas lands clean. Combination from Ribas, a pair of punches and a leg kick behind it. Both women throw heavy shots, Ribas gets the better of it. Dern shoots in and lands a takedown, Ribas gets right back to the feet. Spinning back kick to the body from Ribas. Dern just misses a big right hand. Ribas to the body and head of Dern. Under 90 seconds to go and Ribas lands a big combination. Dern eats it and ties Ribas up. Ribas with a beautiful judo hip toss. Dern throws the legs up looking to transition and Ribas is able to get into the full guard, just smothering Dern. Ribas trying to separate as the round ends.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 Ribas

ROUND 2

Dern shoots in right away and Ribas is able to defend pretty easily. Dern is throwing heavy and Ribas counters beautifully with a hard combination. Quick jab from Ribas followed by a leg kick. Ribas just misses a huge left hook and they meet back in the center. Dern with a left hand but Ribas answers with a right. Dern shoots for a single and Ribas defends. Halfway through the round and Dern lands a nice left hand. Spinning kick to the body lands by Ribas. Final two minutes of the round and Ribas lands a sound right hand. Ribas lands a counter right hand and a nice, quick jab. Dern ducks under for a single leg and Ribas is able spin into it to get on top. Ribas stands back up, Dern follows with under 30 seconds to go. Ribas comes up short on a combination, then lands a left and a right hand right before the horn sounds.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Ribas

ROUND 3

Dern throws a right hand like a Roger Clemens fastball, then tries to lure Ribas to the mat. She doesn’t oblige. Ribas with a kick to the body, then landing a counter left hook. Dern continues to come up short on her punches. Ribas countering beautifully throughout the fight. Dern shoots for another takedown, Ribas lands a series of punches as Dern looked to finish the takedown. Dern releases the leg and they get back to the feet. Leg kick from Ribas. Dern continues to throw with everything she has, Ribas patiently sits back and counters with crisp, technical strikes. Dern shoots, Ribas shakes it off and lands a hard combination. Inside leg kick from Ribas. Dern is running out of time as the final minute approaches. Hard outside leg kick from Ribas, followed by a jab. Another hard jab by Ribas. Final 30 seconds and Ribas opens up with big shots. Ribas all over Dern here in the final 10 seconds. Dern with a right hand, Ribas moves forward as the horn sounds. Super impressive showing by Ribas.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Ribas

Official result: Amanda Ribas def. Mackenzie Dern via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Mike Heck

Mike Heck is the a freelance MMA journalist covering the sport for a number of websites. Specializing in video interviews, Mike interviews everybody from prospects, to title contenders, to world champions, along with other influential personalities in the sport of MMA. Subscribe to his channel at https://youtube.com/mikeheckmma.

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