Mackenzie Dern Eyes UFC 321 Title Win After Zhang Weili Setback

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Mackenzie Dern Eyes UFC 321 Title Win After Zhang Weili Setback

Mackenzie Dern is set to compete for the UFC strawweight title this Saturday at UFC 321. She faces Virna Jandiroba in a highly anticipated co-main event. This opportunity comes as the strawweight championship is vacant after Zhang Weili moved up to challenge for the flyweight title.

Mackenzie Dern’s Title Aspirations

Dern, who is eyeing her first UFC title, acknowledged the accomplishments of Zhang Weili. She expressed that now might not be the best moment to face the seasoned champion. “I wouldn’t say no to a title shot, but I don’t think I’d be ready to fight Weili right now,” Dern stated in an interview with MMA Fighting.

Preparation and Confidence

With 16 octagon appearances under her belt, Dern feels that winning the championship would significantly boost her confidence. “Winning the belt brings a confidence part that you get from that,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement as a fighter.

Previous Encounter with Jandiroba

Dern and Jandiroba previously met at UFC 256 in December 2020, where Dern secured a unanimous decision victory. This upcoming match offers Dern a chance to further establish herself in the division and brings a sense of excitement for the future of strawweight fighters.

Event: UFC 321
Date: Saturday
Opponent: Virna Jandiroba
Prior Matchup: UFC 256, December 2020 (Dern won by unanimous decision)

The Future of the Strawweight Division

In her vision for the strawweight division, Dern remains optimistic about facing new challengers. She believes that the ongoing evolution of the division creates opportunities for all fighters. “The strawweight division is growing, with numerous formidable fighters emerging,” she shared.

Ultimately, Dern’s primary focus remains on her title match against Jandiroba. She hopes to secure the belt, which could lead to new, exciting matchups within the division, including a potential future clash with Zhang Weili. Regardless of Weili’s decisions moving forward, Dern is determined to remain competitive and ready for any challenges ahead.