Blast from the Past: How Mackenzie Dern Unraveled Gabi Garcia’s Game at UFC 321
Mackenzie Dern is set to challenge Virna Jandiroba for the vacant UFC Strawweight title at UFC 321. This event will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, a location popular for significant bouts.
Mackenzie Dern’s Pivotal Moments in Grappling
Before her rise in mixed martial arts, Dern was a leading figure in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). Her accolades include multiple world championships, with gold medals in the IBJJF World (58kg categories in 2015 and 2016) and No-Gi World titles, along with an ADCC gold medal.
Historic Rivalry with Gabi Garcia
An essential chapter in Dern’s career is her rivalry with Gabi Garcia. They first faced off at the 2013 Pan American Championship in Abu Dhabi. Despite a significant size disadvantage—Garcia stood 6’2” and weighed nearly 100 pounds more—Dern pushed through the challenge.
- Pan American Championship (2013): Dern lost via clock choke.
- No-Gi World Championship (2014): Garcia again defeated Dern using an Americana submission.
- Three Matches in 2015: Garcia maintained her streak with wins through various submissions.
- World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (2015): In a pivotal match, Dern won after Garcia received a point deduction for communication infraction.
This last encounter marked a notable upset, shifting the narrative of their competition. It showcased Dern’s resilience and skill despite being outmuscled in earlier bouts.
UFC 321: The Upcoming Title Fight
As UFC 321 approaches, anticipation builds around Dern’s performance against Jandiroba. The co-main event of this fight night will be a highlight, considering Dern’s backstory against formidable opponents.
Other notable fights on the card include:
- Heavyweight Title Fight: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane
- Bantamweight Bout: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista
- Heavyweight Clash: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
The main card will begin at 2 p.m. ET, followed by earlier prelims starting at 10 a.m. ET. Fans are eager to see how Dern’s past experiences will influence her pursuit of UFC gold.
Stay updated with Emegypt for comprehensive coverage of UFC 321 and the latest news in mixed martial arts.
