LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - Mackenzie Dern wants to fight a former champion in her next outing.
Dern snapped her main event curse at UFC Vegas 73 last night (Sat., May 20, 2023), defeating Angela Hill via unanimous decision inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the process, Dern snapped Hill’s three-fight win streak and got herself back into the win column in possibly her best performance yet.
Oh, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace also picked up a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for her effort, too. After her big main event win, Dern had a name locked and loaded for her next opponent, none other than former women’s Strawweight queenpin, Rose Namajunas.
She explained the callout during her interview on ESPN’s UFC Fight Night post-show with Karyn Bryant, Alan Jouban and Rashad Evans.
“Um, I think it’s a challenge,” Dern said. “I’m not calling out Rose because I think it will be an easy fight, you know, but I think to be the champion, we need to have the tough fights. I think the fact that she is a former two-time champion. I like the way that she fights. I think she’d be down to be in the fight, and she won’t be running the whole time.
“I think we will be able to pull the best out of each other,” Dern continued. “I think she’s dangerous, so that’s exciting for me. It’s a good match up.”
Namajunas has been out of action since losing her title to Carla Esparza at UFC 274 in the “worst UFC title fight in history.” There have been rumors that she might be moving to Flyweight, but she hasn’t confirmed anything. Most recently, “Thug Rose” competed at ADCC U.S. Open in Denver, Colo., taking home a bronze medal in the women’s absolute division.
For complete UFC Vegas 73 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
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