Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas prediction, decide: Intriguing rematch at UFC Battle Night time 249

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to interrupt down the largest fights within the UFC. At present, he takes a better have a look at the UFC Fight Night 249 primary occasion between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas.

Mackenzie Dern UFC Battle Night time 249 preview

Staple data:

• File: 15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC
• Peak: 5’6″ Age: 31 Weight: 115 lbs. Attain: 63″
• Final battle: Decision win over Luptia Godinez (Aug. 3, 2024)
• Camp: Jaxxson Home (California)
• Stance/putting fashion: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Danger administration: Truthful

Supplemental data:
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ A number of grappling world championships
^ Out and in of the gi
+ 7 submission wins
+ 6 first-round finishes
+ Aggressive tempo and strain
+ Steadily improved putting
^ Heavy arms and arduous leg kicks
+ Favors takedown makes an attempt from the clinch
+ Glorious transitional grappler
+ Lively and attacking guard sport
^ Very good sweeps and submissions
+/- 5-2 within the UFC Apex

Amanda Ribas UFC Battle Night time 249 preview

Staple data:

• 12-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC
• Peak: 5’4″ Age: 31 Weight: 115 lbs. Attain: 66″
• Final battle: Decision loss to Rose Namajunas (March 23, 2024)
• Camp: Ribas Household (Brazil)
• Stance/putting fashion: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Danger administration: Truthful

Supplemental data:
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Judo black belt
+ A number of grappling accolades
+ Novice MMA titles
+ 3 KO victories
+ 4 submission wins
+ 4 first-round finishes
+ Steadily bettering putting
^ Jabs, kicks, counters
+ Efficient contained in the clinch
^ Good soiled boxing, journeys and tosses
+ Stable wrestling capacity
+ Glorious transitional grappler
+/-1-2 within the UFC Apex

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas focal point: Placing the second time round

Loss of life, taxes and the UFC force-feeding us rematches nobody requested for.

However in all seriousness, it’s good to have the world chief again in motion and this rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas ought to maintain some weight to the rankings on this division.

Their first encounter again in 2019 was a reasonably clear victory for Ribas. The battle noticed all the important thing phases, however it was Ribas’ putting pace, output and counters that finally received the day.

Regardless of Ribas coming from a grappling base, she demonstrates a shocking quantity of consolation on her ft as soon as she will get going.

Sometimes fencing out and in of vary off prodding jabs, Ribas will search for alternatives to both counter or blitz her opposition together. When feeling in stride, the Brazilian fighter will not be shy about attaching arduous kicks to the tip of stated combos.

Whether or not Ribas is trying to land spin kicks to the pinnacle or combine issues up by going to the physique, the 31-year-old has displayed that she has a dynamic kicking repertoire in her again pocket.

Ribas has additionally proven the flexibility to battle competently from southpaw in latest fights, however her fast-and-loose guard nonetheless leaves lots to be desired from a defensive standpoint. And contemplating her present counterpart, Ribas will probably have to be on her finest habits.

Though Dern made her title within the grappling world, she has proven no concern in taking over the putting challenges that MMA presents.

A naturally heavy-handed fighter, Dern appears to generate respectable energy in her proper hand, visibly beautiful opponents every time she lands clear. And although Dern’s sturdiness and expertise as a grappler could have gotten her by parts of her profession to this point, she has steadily been sharpening her putting below the care of Jason Parillo.

A putting coach who has helped former champions like B.J. Penn, Michael Bisping, and Cris Cyborg, Parillo seems to be aiding Dern in understanding each the rawness and dangerous habits that exist in her sport.

Nonetheless, Dern’s protection nonetheless leaves lots to be desired, as her outdated habits of ducking her head and decreasing her guard reveal themselves when below heavy hearth. For that cause, I will probably be curious to see if Dern can efficiently shut area extra safely and on her personal phrases.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas breakdown: Potential grappling threats

A spot the place every fighter appears to seek out themselves, I believe that the clinch will probably be a key junction on this battle.

Though I’d personally advise Dern to stay with takedown makes an attempt in open area, she appears to will be predisposed to each crash into and assault from the clinch. Whether or not she’s attempting to grab up a single or hit a superb ole head-and-arm throw, Dern is most keen to work every time she will get her opponent in opposition to the fence.

However contemplating the clinch savvy of Ribas in stated area, Dern’s finest possibilities will probably be within the type of reactive photographs on the legs (versus the extra upper-body clinch entries that received her in hassle the final time they fought).

https://twitter.com/fenoxsky/status/1876726640459354387

An accoladed judoka, Ribas has a knack for parlaying opponents’ offensive wrestling strain into hip tosses that enable her to get topside.
Ribas is also able to hitting extra wrestling-style takedowns like reactive stage adjustments or extra conventional double legs, however sometimes makes an attempt these when her opponent has their again to the fence.

As soon as Ribas can get issues to the bottom, she turns into much more comfy behind the proverbial steering wheel. From positional floor putting to transitional submission threats, Ribas seems to be the whole bundle from a grappling perspective.

Nonetheless, Ribas will nonetheless have to be on her finest habits provided that Dern continues to be a wonderful grappler in transition that’s seemingly one mistake away from with the ability to shut the present in MMA.

Whether or not she is enjoying in or out of the gi, Dern has by no means been afraid to present a little bit so as to achieve lots. That stated, Dern might want to present a capability to each safe and shut from dominant positions if she means to maintain her repute on this division.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas odds

The oddsmakers and the general public are favoring the winner of the primary battle, itemizing Ribas -215 and Dern +164 by way of FanDuel.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas prediction

Though rematches seldom go the identical means in MMA, this matchup, sadly, leaves little to the creativeness.

Each ladies, to differing levels, have steadily improved elements of their video games, however the stylistic dynamic between the 2 largely stays the identical.

Except Dern can sway the judges her means with some massive moments (a la her controversial resolution win over Tecia Pennington), then Ribas’ pace, output and counters will probably widen the hole on the scoreboard.

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Finishes on the ft are quietly on the desk for each fighters, however I believe these women go all 5 frames.

The decide is Ribas by unanimous resolution.

Prediction: Ribas by resolution

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas state time, the place to observe

As the primary occasion, Dern and Ribas are anticipated to make their walks to the octagon at roughly 9:45 p.m. ET. The battle streams stay on ESPN+.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 249.