The UFC's next event is set for action on Saturday, October 1 at UFC Apex in Vegas. Which was named UFC Fight Night 211 or UFC Vegas 61 or UFC ESPN+ 69) with its headliner bout being a Women’s Strawweight duel between Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xiaonan. Today we will highlight the headliner of the event, Mackenzie Dern vs. Xiaonan Yan. Dern is ranked #4 and Xiaonan is ranked #5, meaning that the winner of this puts himself very well in the 115lbs division. The news was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN.
Dern is a Phoenix-born American fighter currently based in Los Angeles, who is bound for the crowd on October 1st. Will this help it defeat its Chinese rival? Let's try to know more about the fighters.
Mackenzie Dern vs. Xiaonan Yan preview
1-Mackenzie Dern is 12-2 in her professional MMA career, with a 7-2 record since joining the UFC world. She joined the promotion in 2018, before becoming a pro-MMA fighter in 2016, Dern had a successful career in submission grappling. In fact, she has won gold medals in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions around the world, representing both the United States and Brazil on the international stage.
After losing to Amanda Ribas in 2019, she went on an extraordinary four-fight winning streak, earning three submission victories and notching performance of the night bonuses for each of them. She took a slight step back when she lost to Marina Rodriguez in October's main event, however, in her last trip to the Octagon, the 29-year-old defeated Tecia Torres via split decision at UFC 273.
During her post-fight press conference at UFC 273, Mackenzie Dern was asked by a reporter if she felt confident saying she was the best jiu-jitsu in women's MMA. Watch Mackenzie Dern explain why she's the best jiu-jitsu athlete in women's MMA:
But looking at the other side of the mirror, it's no surprise that most of her MMA wins came via submission. In fact, she has won 7 fights this way, while her other five wins have come by decision. Interestingly, she is still winless by knockout, which is her preferred method of defeating her next opponent.
2-Xiaonan Yan: It wouldn't be wrong to say that Xiaonan Yan is going for the knockout at UFC Fight Night 211. Yan is 15-3-1 in her career as a professional mixed martial artist. She has seven victories by KO/TKO, as well as eight wins by decision, and one win by submission. But more interestingly, Yan began her UFC tenure with an impressive six-fight winning streak, all of which went 15 minutes. That run included wins over two former title challengers, Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Claudia Gadelha.
Knowing this, it is clear that she has the ability to fight all five rounds. However, we doubt that will be her strategy at UFC Fight Night 211. Her opponent also has great cardio, which is why we think Yann will try to tackle him first. We think Yann will go for the knockout.
Throwing punches and kicks at Dern seems to be the best (and only) way to stop him from taking Yan to the ground.
Mackenzie Dern vs Yan Xiaonan Odds
Mackenzie Dern -210
Xiaonan Yan +176
Dern vs. Yan prediction
If she wants to win, Xiaonan Yan needs to make sure Mackenzie Dern doesn't take her to the ground. Darn will definitely try this, which is why we expect Yan to try to stop him with hard attacks. And if she hits him hard enough, we could see her win by KO/TKO.
Picks: Xiaonan Yan to win by knockout/technical knockout
When,
Where, and How to Watch?
Place:
UFC APEX In Las Vegas, Nevada
Date:
Saturday, October 1
How
to Watch: ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass
Dern vs
Yan UFC Fight Night Card
Main Card
Mackenzie Dern vs. Yan Xiaonan – Main
Event Women’s Strawweight bout
Randy Brown vs Francisco Trinaldo – Welterweight
bout
Sodiq Yusuff vs Don Shainis – Featherweight bout
Prelims
John Castaneda vs Daniel Santos
Jessica Penne vs Tabatha Ricci – Women’s Strawweight
bout
Raoni Barcelos vs. Trevin Jones – Bantamweight bout