Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas UFC Vegas 101 Fight Preview: Prediction, Stats & Analysis

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas is the hottest fight of UFC Vegas 101 – and I mean hot in all senses of the word (Wink, wink).

They’re both easy on the eyes, but that’s not why I’m here. In this video, I’m going to focus on their skills inside the Octagon.

This sizzling showdown on January 11 in Vegas is actually their second date… I mean, fight. Their first encounter happened over five years ago, where Ribas took the win by decision. It wasn’t exactly a nail-biter—Ribas dominated fair and square, showing no mercy.

Ribas came in hot, landing 74 strikes to Dern’s 20. She also scored two takedowns, leaving Dern with none. Zero. Zilch. This is kind of shocking because Mackenzie Dern is the only female UFC fighter with a 3rd-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. That’s right, this woman could tie you up in knots—literally and figuratively.

With those grappling credentials, it’s no surprise that half of Dern’s wins come via submission. She doesn’t just win fights; she takes her opponents to school. The other half of her victories? Decisions, where her wrestling and mat skills seal the deal. So, if the fight hits the ground, it’s Mackenzie’s playground.

But Amanda Ribas isn’t just a pretty face. She’s sharp on the mat but likely wants to keep this fight standing – her striking is crisp enough to keep Dern at bay. If she stuffs the takedowns, Ribas could jab, kick, and sizzle her way to a victory. Big if, though, because this isn’t a quickie; it’s a 5-round marathon.

So, who am I betting on? My pick is Mackenzie Dern. Her grappling is just too hot to handle for Ribas, and over five rounds, I think she’s going to wrap this one up—literally. Submission win for Dern.