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UFC Introduces Main Event Combat for Initial Event in 2025

UFC boss Dana White and the organization acknowledge Mackenzie Dern's drawing strength. They plan to shift her from a main card position to the main event or a subsequent show within a month.

UFC 308 Presser Event
UFC 308 Presser Event

UFC Introduces Main Event Combat for Initial Event in 2025

UFC honcho Dana White and his team appreciate Mackenzie Dern's crowd-pulling ability. Her match against Amanda Ribas, initially scheduled for UFC Tampa on December 14, has been bumped up to the main event slot for UFC Vegas 101 at the Apex in Las Vegas instead.

Most UFC combatants prefer battling it out in front of a packed arena rather than the close-quartered Apex. However, Dern and Ribas might pocket some extra dough, securing their spots in the limelight.

Following a unanimous decision victory over Lupita Gonzalez in August, Dern will now have an extra month to train and rejuvenate before facing Ribas.

In March, Ribas suffered a unanimous decision loss to Rose Namajunas. Eager to retrieve her footing, Ribas faces a challenging task against Dern, who previously bested her by a unanimous decision in 2019. While circumstances might change, Dern has every reason to stride into the octagon with self-assurance.

Ranked sixth, a win over Ribas could potentially grant Dern a title bout with someone in the Top 5. Alternatively, Dern or Ribas could end up facing emerging Brazilian sensation Iasmin Lucindo, who is currently fighting for title contention, having secured her position in the Top 10 after beating Marina Rodriguez.

Lucindo's unanimous decision triumph over Rodriguez has solidified her spot in the Top 10, making her a strong contender for an upcoming title eliminator.

The following is the complete UFC Vegas 101 lineup, featuring Dern and Ribas headlining:

UFC Vegas 101 Card

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas

Weight Class: Women's Strawweight (115 lbs)

Thiago Moisés vs. Trey Ogden

Weight Class: Lightweight (155 lbs)

Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov

UFC Fight Night Weight Ceremony: Dern versus Rodriguez

Weight Class: Middleweight (185 lbs)

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Carlston Harris

Weight Class: Welterweight (170 lbs)

Austin Bashi vs. Christian Rodriguez

Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs)

Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Nicolle Caliari

Weight Class: Women's Flyweight (125 lbs)

Punahele Soriano vs. Uroš Medić

Weight Class: Welterweight (170 lbs)

Andreas Gustafsson vs. Preston Parsons

Weight Class: Welterweight (170 lbs)

José Johnson vs. Felipe Bunes

UFC Fight Event: Dern Confronts Ribas

Weight Class: Flyweight (125 lbs)

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Bruno Lopes

Weight Class: Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)

Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. César Almeida

Weight Class: Middleweight (185 lbs)

Nurullo Aliev vs. Yanal Ashmouz

Weight Class: Lightweight (155 lbs)

Victoria Dudakova vs. Fatima Kline

Weight Class: Women's Strawweight (115 lbs)

The Apex has emerged as a crucial battleground for budding fighters and rescheduled matches since the pandemic, effectively transforming UFC Vegas 101 into a blend of established veterans and rising stars. However, fans and fighters should anticipate seeing fewer Apex events in 2025, as White has hinted at hosting more Fight Night events in arenas.

Instead, the Apex will continue to host Ultimate Fighters and Dana White Contender Series competitions, leaving the door wide open for major events to migrate to other arenas. The upcoming UFC 310, which will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and is headlined by flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending his title against Kai Asakura in his inaugural appearance, is an example of the big shows hitting the road. However, watch out for pre-event coverage leading up to the last pay-per-view of the year.

Mackenzie Dern's next fight against Amanda Ribas will headline UFC Vegas 101, which takes place at the Apex in Las Vegas. This fight was originally scheduled for UFC Tampa but was bumped up due to Dern's crowd-pulling ability. (ufc, ufc miami, ufc vegas 101, mackenzie dern)

UFC news has confirmed that Mackenzie Dern will face Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 101, and this is a rematch as Ribas previously lost to Dern by unanimous decision in 2019. (mackenzie dern, ufc news)

The UFC Vegas 101 card also features Thiago Moise and Trey Ogden in a lightweight matchup, and if Dern or Ribas win, they could potentially face emerging Brazilian sensation Iasmin Lucindo, who is currently in the Top 10. (ufc, ufc vegas 101, mackenzie dern, amanda ribas)

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