The Final Preventing Championship’s month-long hiatus is sort of at an finish; with MMA followers all over the world counting right down to the primary Struggle Night time occasion of 2025.
The UFC kicks off a brand new 12 months with a slightly customary Apex card, however after weeks with none octagon motion, that doesn’t matter a lot to the followers; UFC Struggle Night time: Dern vs Ribas 2 goes down this weekend.
Amanda Ribas explains her nine-month absence from the UFC
Since making her promotional debut in 2019, Amanda Ribas has garnered a popularity for being one of the crucial energetic feminine fighters on the roster.
But after preventing 3 times in 2023, the favored Brazilian strawweight would solely make one look in 2024: dropping a hard-fought unanimous determination to former champion Rose Namajunas again in March.
After a nine-month layoff, Ribas returns to motion this weekend in a rematch towards Mackenzie Dern and chatting with MMA Junkie, defined why she wanted to ditch her common schedule in favor of some well-deserved R&R.
“I’m a real emotional individual, however I would like – my group and I talked – I must be extra of a mind individual. I took this time to get well my physique with restoration and every little thing, and to really feel the miss to battle, to compete – I missed it [and] I actually, actually wish to battle.”
Dern and Ribas had been initially meant to battle at UFC Tampa in December, with the bout being moved to January 18 and altered to a five-round contest; fortunately, Ribas was already coaching for 5 rounds anyway.
“I used to be coaching to do 5 rounds – I don’t know why. My dad was coaching me to do 5 rounds. I don’t know if it’s to be with extra fuel, however I used to be coaching to do 5 because the starting of the camp.”
Ribas is at present ranked in each the strawweight division (#8) and the flyweight division (#10) and is aware of that victory this weekend will “put me nearer to my purpose to be champion.
“After all, every little thing is dependent upon the results of this battle and the way the battle goes, however I do know the outcome can put me on the highest and I can perhaps step towards the belt.”
Amanda Ribas is ‘hungry for blood’ forward of rematch versus Mackenzie Dern
Ribas and Dern first confronted one another again in October 2019; a battle which was received by Ribas through a unanimous decision – this time round, she’s coming for the end.
“I wish to battle at strawweight, I really feel robust, I really feel assured, and I really feel hungry, you understand, not only for meals however for blood!”
After struggling back-to-back defeats to Amanda Lemos and Jessica Andrade, Dern bought herself again within the win column final August with a stable determination win over Lupita Godinez.
Dern might need momentum on her facet, however Ribas is prepared for regardless of the American has in retailer: “I’m ready for [her] takedowns, for the punches as a result of I do know she’s getting higher and stronger, [but] I’ve skilled rather a lot.
“I feel if I might submit her, for certain I’ll get a bonus.”
Other than the principle occasion, there are a few fights that MMA followers ought to control – Santiago Ponzinibbio takes on Carlston Harris within the co-main occasion of the night, with the principle card additionally set to characteristic UFC veterans Chris Curtis and Roman Kopylov.
There are additionally a number of undefeated prospects to look out for; 13-0 featherweight Austin Bashi, 9-0 welterweight Jacobe Smith, 9-0 mild heavyweight Magomed Gadzhiyasulov, and 9-0 light-weight Nurullo Aliev.
With a wholesome mixture of promotional veterans and surging newcomers, UFC Struggle Night time: Dern vs Ribas 2 must be a enjoyable technique to kick off what must be one other fabulous 12 months of MMA motion – roll on Saturday!
Associated Posts
