This is the UFC 321 live blog for Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern 2, the vacant strawweight championship co-main event Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Jandiroba and Dern battle for a 115-pound title left vacant by Zhang Weili, who moves up a division to fight flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322 on Nov. 15. In their first meeting in December 2020, Dern won a unanimous decision over Jandiroba.
A 12-year veteran, Jandiroba (22-3) is on the hottest streak of her UFC career having rattled off five straight wins to force herself into the championship conversation. When Zhang made the decision to fight Shevchenko, it guaranteed that Jandiroba would be one half of a vacant title bout. Jandiroba has won five straight, including knocking off one-time title challengers Yan Xiaonan and Amanda Lemos, to earn her spot.
Dern (15-5) has had a rocky road to the top, but she recently avenged a loss to Amanda Ribas in emphatic fashion by submitting Ribas with an armbar, a clear sign of Dern’s evolution. The elite grappler began her MMA career in 2016 with plenty of hype behind her following a decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu career. Now, she is one win away from adding a UFC title to her impressive trophy collection.
Check out the UFC 321 live blog for Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern 2 below.
It’s actually happening, Mackenzie Dern is one good performance away from becoming UFC champion. How many of you sold your Dern stock, be honest.
On the other side, we’ve got Virna Jandiroba, who has been working towards this goal just as long. She could be moments away from joining the list of former Invicta FC champions to wear UFC gold.
Close odds here on FanDuel, with Dern slightly favored at -134 and Virna Jandiroba barely an underdog at +114.
Round 1: Your referee for this championship contest, Marc Goddard.
An exchange of outside leg kicks to start. Dern lands a good one. She’s letting the hands go, not everything getting through, but she’s putting pressure on Jandiroba. Jandiroba stuffs a takedown and both fighters smile. Nice jab from Dern. Jandiroba walks into a couple of Dern punches. Jandiroba with the takedown attempt and Dern shrugs her off.
Another effective jab from Dern. Jandiroba smacks her with a straight right. Dern scores with a punch over the top. Well-timed double leg by Jandiroba and she has Dern down. Dern looks happy to play guard, not letting Jandiroba stand. Hammerfists from bottom by Dern. Now Dern kicks her off. Jandiroba blocks Dern from going after one of her legs. Dern up now.
Two good punches from Dern. Jandiroba answers with another successful double leg. Dern hugging her in tight, not allowing for any offense or improvement of position. Jandiroba happy to stay there. This is just a jiu-jitsu match now.
Dern throws some punches as the fighters work back to the feet. Jandiroba tries to muscle Dern to the fence, but Dern reverses. They trade knees inside before the buzzer.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Dern.
Round 2: Dern pushes Jandiroba to the fence to open the round. Jandiroba with good defense and they’re back to the striking. Wide, winging punches by Dern, she’s going for it, that’s for sure. Jandiroba with a quick right backs Dern up. Overhand right by Jandiroba scores. Dern with a 1-2. Left hook from Jandiroba. Both fighters taking chances on the feet. Takedown by Jandiroba.
Not much happening on the ground so it’s back to the standup. Jandiroba with a flicking left hook. Jandiroba wins a scramble and she has Dern on her back with 90 seconds to go. Hammerfists from Jandiroba. Dern is throwing off of her back, but she doesn’t have the advantage here. Jandiroba landing hammerfists while keeping Dern stuck to the canvas. Jandiroba staying heavy as the time ticks down. Dern tries a couple of upkicks but Dern keeps her distance and then lands a left hand on Dern as she stands up.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Jandiroba. Overall, 19-19.
Round 3: Dern hits Jandiroba with a knee just as Jandiroba comes in for a takedown, but Dern still ends up on her back. Not for long, they’re striking again. There’s a serious welt forming under Jandiroba’s right eye. Dern muscles Jandiroba to the fence. Jandiroba looking to land downward elbows with Dern bearing down on her. Back to the center of the cage.
Dern with a bruise near her right eye now. A striking exchange ends with Dern taking Jandiroba to the fence. Dern with a right hand, Jandiroba answers with a left hook. Jandiroba in on a takedown and she gets it. Elbows from bottom by Dern. Jandiroba sitting in Dern’s guard. Dern looks frustrated. She’s trying to strike from bottom but Jandiroba is smothering her. Dern nearly lands an illegal upkick. Right hand from Jandiroba to end the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Jandiroba. Overall, 29-28 Jandiroba.
Round 4: Dern re-establishing the jab. Two more good punches by Dern. Jandiroba catches Dern with a straight left. Dern hits a right. Jandiroba answers with a right of her own. Jandiroba fakes a takedown and scores with a left. Both fighters busy on the feet.
Good body shot from Dern. Jandiroba scores with another right. Dern marches forward with punches. Double leg from Dern, Jandiroba has it scouted. They return to the center of the cage. Slapping left from Jandiroba. Dern wants to push the pace. Hard right from Dern. She kicks Jandiroba’s body and follows with a jab. Jab from Dern. Double leg from Jandiroba, she just dumps Dern to the mat. No action there, and Dern is back up. Jandiroba with a 1-2, now it’s Dern with the takedown. Neither fighter able to do much as they stay tight, but that’s enough for Dern to secure the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Dern. Overall, 38-38.
