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1h ago

Mackenzie Dern Says She Isn’t Ready for Zhang Weili Yet, Targets Vacant Title in Jandiroba Rematch

Zhang Weili’s move to flyweight opened the door for the Abu Dhabi co-main event.

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Overview

  • UFC 321’s co-main event on Oct. 25 in Abu Dhabi will crown a new strawweight champion when Mackenzie Dern faces Virna Jandiroba.
  • Dern says she is not ready to face Zhang Weili right now but believes winning the belt would give her the confidence and preparation to pursue that matchup later.
  • The bout is a rematch of their December 2020 meeting at UFC 256, which Dern won by unanimous decision.
  • Zhang vacated the 115-pound title to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight championship at UFC 322.
  • Dern enters her first UFC title fight in her 16th octagon appearance, while Jandiroba rides a five-fight winning streak after defeating Xiaonan Yan at UFC 314.