Mackenzie Dern Primed for UFC Vegas 73 Showdown with Angela Hill, Predicts Weili’s Title Reign to End, Eyes Namajunas Next
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This Saturday, on May 20, 2023, the stage is set for an epic clash between Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill in the headliner of UFC Vegas 73. Dern, currently ranked #8 in the UFC’s official strawweight rankings, is determined to rebound from her recent loss to Yan Xiaonan. Hill, ranked #14, poses a formidable challenge, but Dern is ready to showcase her skills and claim victory.
Looking beyond her upcoming bout, Dern has already made a bold prediction for the future of the strawweight division. She believes that Amanda Lemos will dethrone Zhang Weili and capture the UFC strawweight title in August. Dern recognizes Lemos’ power and feels confident in her ability to rise to the top.
While focusing on her immediate fight against Hill, Dern is also looking ahead to her next challenge. Expressing a desire to face a former champion, Dern specifically mentions her interest in a matchup with Rose Namajunas. With the UFC previously considering matchups against Carla Esparza and Jessica Andrade, Dern believes that a fight against Namajunas would be an ideal next step in her journey. She envisions an exciting showdown between two top-tier athletes.
Dern shared her thoughts on Lemos’ potential title shot during a chat with Shak MMA, saying, “I think Amanda Lemos is gonna get the [belt]. She hits hard… she definitely has weight on her hands. I think she’s made the cut to Strawweight really good.” As for Namajunas, Dern expressed, “I would love to be able to fight Rose after that. It would be great.“
In this pivotal moment of her career, Mackenzie Dern is fully focused on her upcoming battle with Angela Hill. However, her ambitions extend far beyond this fight, as she sets her sights on former champion Rose Namajunas and aims to solidify her place among the strawweight elite. As fight night approaches, fans eagerly await the outcome of Dern’s clash with Hill and the potential realization of her future aspirations.
