UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2 predictions

UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2 is set to take place on January 11, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event features a compelling main card headlined by a women\'s strawweight rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas.

Main Card Fights and Betting Odds:

Women\'s Strawweight Bout: Mackenzie Dern (+160) vs. Amanda Ribas (-190)
Welterweight Bout: Santiago Ponzinibbio (-125) vs. Carlston Harris (+105)
Middleweight Bout: Cesar Almeida (-300) vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (+250)
Middleweight Bout: Chris Curtis (+210) vs. Roman Kopylov (-258)
Featherweight Bout: Christian Rodriguez vs. Austin Bashi

Odds are subject to change; please check with official sources for the latest information.

Headline Fight Analysis: Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas

In their first encounter in October 2019, Amanda Ribas secured a unanimous decision victory over Mackenzie Dern, showcasing superior striking and effective takedown defense. Since then, both fighters have evolved, making this rematch highly anticipated.

Mackenzie Dern:

Record: 12-3-0
Style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) specialist
Strengths: World-class grappling, submission skills
Recent Performance: Dern has shown improvements in her striking but continues to rely heavily on her grappling prowess.

Amanda Ribas:

Record: 11-4-0
Style: Well-rounded with a background in Judo and BJJ
Strengths: Versatile striking, solid takedown defense, reach advantage
Recent Performance: Ribas has demonstrated adaptability, competing in both strawweight and flyweight divisions, with notable victories enhancing her resume.

Fight Dynamics:

Striking: Ribas holds a three-inch reach advantage and has showcased more polished striking compared to Dern. Utilizing her jab and maintaining distance will be crucial to her game plan.
Grappling: While both possess high-level grappling credentials, Dern\'s submission game is particularly dangerous. However, Ribas\'s judo background and previous success in neutralizing Dern\'s takedown attempts suggest she can manage the grappling exchanges effectively.
Cardio and Pace: Ribas has previously maintained a high pace throughout her fights, which could be advantageous in later rounds if the fight extends beyond the early stages.

Prediction:

Considering their previous matchup and subsequent performances, Amanda Ribas is favored to win this rematch. Her striking advantage, combined with effective takedown defense, positions her well to replicate her prior success against Dern. The betting odds reflect this, with Ribas listed as a -190 favorite, indicating a 65.5% implied probability of victory.

However, it\'s important to note that Mackenzie Dern\'s submission skills can change the course of a fight instantly. If she can bring the fight to the ground, her chances of securing a submission increase significantly.

Conclusion:

UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2 offers an exciting lineup of fights, with the main event rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas drawing significant attention. While Ribas is favored to win based on her previous performance and skill set, the dynamic nature of MMA means that outcomes can be unpredictable. Fans can look forward to a competitive and entertaining bout between two of the strawweight division\'s top contenders.