Nina-Marie Daniele shares three-word reaction to Mackenzie Dern hitting the scales at UFC Abu Dhabi weigh-ins

With UFC Abu Dhabi set to commence on Aug. 3, all fighters weighed in the day before and successfully hit their contracted limit to make the 13 bouts official. Although all fighters weighed in on point, most fans had their attention grabbed by Mackenzie Dern hitting the scales.

Dern has only missed weight in the UFC once, a fight with Amanda Cooper in 2018, so her 115.5-pound announcement was not a surprise. Instead, many were pleasantly surprised by the strawweight's physique as she looked to be in the best shape of her career.

Dern's weigh-in caught the attention of Nina-Marie Daniele, who complimented the fighter on her seemingly keen fight camp. Daniele commented:

"Looking good Mackenzie"

Nina-Marie Daniele commented on Mackenzie Dern's UFC Abu Dhabi official weigh-in. [via @mmajunkie on Instagram]

Dern will be fighting on the card for the second time in 2024 after losing to Amanda Lemos at UFC 298 in a Fight of the Night effort. After starting her professional MMA career at 11-1, Dern has gone just 2-4 in her last six fights to temporarily put a halt on her title aspirations.

The former Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion will look to end a two-fight losing streak against Lupita 'Loopy' Godinez on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi.

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Mackenzie Dern will face Loopy Godinez at UFC Abu Dhabi

In a high-stakes clash of styles matchup, Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez will both look to get back on track against each other at UFC Abu Dhabi. Both fighters are coming off losses in their last fight as Godinez had her four-fight losing streak snapped by Virna Jandiroba at UFC Atlantic City.

At similar stages of their careers, the betting odds suggest the fight will be on an even playing field with Dern's elite grappling figuring to neutralize Godinez's wrestling-based approach, and vice versa.

Both fighters are still young in their respective careers but a loss to either presumably would knock them out of the title conversation for the time being.

The strawweight battle will be the second of the UFC Abu Dhabi main card that is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. GST.