Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas leave UFC Tampa card and face off in the first main event of 2025

A. Ribas (right) defeated M. Dern (left) in 2019. Photo: Instragram UFCBrasil

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Brazilian fighters Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas , ranked in the top 10 of the strawweight division (up to 52,1 kg), will be absent from the UFC Tampa card , the last event of 2024, on December 14th, but for a good reason. The pair have been 'promoted' and will now face each other in the main event of UFC Las Vegas 101 , the first event of 2025, on January 11th at the 'Apex'. The information was initially released by journalist Alex Behunin of 'MMA Mania'.

The duel between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas is a rematch. The two first faced each other in October 2019, with Amanda winning by unanimous decision.

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More than five years later, Mackenzie is the highest ranked fighter in the strawweight division. The jiu-jitsu legend is ranked sixth, while Amanda is ranked eighth and is trying to get closer to the top 5.

Neither fighter is in consistent form. Mackenzie Dern has won only two of her last five fights, but is coming off an important victory over Lupita Godinez in August, while Amanda also has two wins in her last five appearances, but is coming off a loss to Rose Namajunas in March, competing in the flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg).

Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas headline a card full of Brazilians at UFC Las Vegas 101. In addition to the two, the event will also feature: César Almeida , Thiago Moisés , Bruno Lopes , Felipe Bunes , and Nicolle Caliari.

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