Mackenzie Dern Claims Vacant UFC Strawweight Title, Pledges Quick Return
Zhang Weili’s move to flyweight opened the door, leaving Dern’s first defense to be set by the UFC.
Overview
- Dern defeated Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision in their UFC 321 rematch in Abu Dhabi to capture the 115-pound belt.
- She said she feels sore but great and plans to head straight back to training, noting she now has a target on her back.
- Dern signaled openness to any challenger, naming Tatiana Suarez as an appealing option and acknowledging the UFC will determine her first defense.
- Responding to analyst Din Thomas calling the matchup insignificant, she defended the legitimacy of vacated-title bouts on The Ariel Helwani Show.
- Jorge Masvidal praised her grit on his podcast, as Zhang remains booked to face Valentina Shevchenko at flyweight on November 15.