![Mackenzie Dern rumored to return to UFC on December 14 for UFC Tampa. [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/08/cf1f9-17240468493863-1920.jpg)
![Mackenzie Dern rumored to return to UFC on December 14 for UFC Tampa. [Image courtesy: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Mackenzie Dern is reportedly set to return to the octagon. This comes just days after she suffered a humbling grappling defeat. The UFC strawweight is rumored to face Amanda Ribas at UFC Tampa on Dec. 14.
Dern's grappling prowess was put to the test on Saturday night at the Craig Jones Invitational, where Ffion Davies swiftly submitted her. The Welsh grappler dominated the match, securing a dominant victory via armbar.
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With the news of Dern's potential UFC return circulating, fans have taken to social media to express their opinions.
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Many expressed concern about the fight headlining the event. One fan wrote:
“Hopefully not the main event”
Another echoed the sentiment:
“bro please dont tell me this is the main event”
Despite the recent setback, some fans expressed optimism about Dern's ability to bounce back and remain competitive in the UFC:
“Great fight! Good to see that Mackenzie didn’t get injured yesterday”
Check out some of the fan reactions below:
Mackenzie Dern's career in the UFC so far
Mackenzie Dern has had a tumultuous journey since entering the UFC in 2018. The former world No. 1 ranked IBJJF competitor made a promising start, securing early victories over Ashley Yoder and Amanda Cooper. However, a subsequent loss to Amanda Ribas marked a setback.
Dern bounced back impressively, reeling off a series of dominant performances, including highlight-reel submissions over Hannah Cifers, Randa Markos, and Nina Nunes. These victories showcased her world-class grappling skills and earned her multiple Performance of the Night bonuses.
Unfortunately, Dern’s path has not been without its challenges. Losses to Marina Rodriguez, Yan Xiaonan, and Jessica Andrade highlighted the need for improvement in her striking. Despite these setbacks, the fighter bounced back with victories over Tecia Torres and Angela Hill, earning a Fight of the Night bonus for both encounters.
Most recently, Dern suffered back-to-back losses to Amanda Lemos and Jéssica Andrade, underscoring the fierce competition in the strawweight division. However, she managed to regain momentum with a unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez in Aug. 2024.
