Mackenzie Dern Sets Sights on Former UFC Champ Rose Namajunas as Top “Priority” Following Dominant Win over Hill
2 min read
Fresh off an impressive victory at UFC Vegas 73, Mackenzie Dern has wasted no time in declaring her desire to face former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas. Dern’s dominant decision win over Angela Hill in the main event served as a stepping stone to her call-out of Namajunas, expressing her eagerness to add a former champion to her resume.
“I follow her on social media too, and I think she did like an ADCC regional or something like that,” Dern shared during the UFC Vegas 73 post-event news conference. “I mean, I’m a former ADCC champion, so for me, I’m always happy when I see the MMA girls doing jiu-jitsu and things like that.”
Dern, who recently earned her third-degree jiu-jitsu blackbelt, sees a potential matchup with Namajunas as an intriguing battle of grappling skills. She recognizes the prowess Namajunas possesses in jiu-jitsu, citing her participation in the ADCC regional event. Dern views a fight against Namajunas as a priority and an opportunity for an exciting main event that would captivate both the public and the fighters themselves.
“So, definitely for sure to fight Rose is a priority of mine right now,” Dern continued. “I think it would be a great fight, a good main event, and a good test for both of us. So, when I see her training her jiu-jitsu, I’m like it’s not gonna be an easy fight, but I think it could be a great fight for the public and for us.“
Rose Namajunas, a former two-time UFC strawweight champion, last competed in May 2022, suffering a decision loss to Carla Esparza. Prior to that, she enjoyed back-to-back victories over current champion Zhang Weili, showcasing her elite skills inside the Octagon.
As fans and pundits eagerly await further developments, the potential matchup between Mackenzie Dern and Rose Namajunas promises to bring excitement and anticipation to the strawweight division. While negotiations and official confirmation are yet to take place, the call-out from Dern adds another layer of intrigue to the landscape of women’s MMA.
Stay tuned to WMMA Rankings for the latest updates, news, and potential developments regarding a possible showdown between Mackenzie Dern and Rose Namajunas.
