Jiu-jitsu world champ turned MMA fighter Mackenzie Dern has the first L on her professional record. Brazilian Amanda Ribas defeated Dern by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night in Tampa, taking apart the grappler with clean strikes and one really perfect throw.
Ribas rocked Dern in the first round, breaking Dern’s pace with strikes and countering the clinch with a hip toss that put the grappler on her back:
It was this superior striking which ultimately won Ribas the match. Dern took some major hits in round two, struggling to complete takedown attempts throughout all three rounds. And while she displayed tenacity and durability, eating big shots without retreating, Dern was unable to answer Ribas’ striking effectively and land significant punches of her own.
Ribas, also a black belt, clocked in with all three judges at 30-27 for her performance. She is now 2-0 in the UFC.
