LAS VEGAS – In a world wherein everyone seems to be chomping on the bit for a UFC title alternative, Mackenzie Dern is taking her time.
Following her UFC Combat Evening 249 win Saturday, Dern (16-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) reaffirmed what she’d mentioned pre-fight. She thinks one other combat ought to come earlier than a title alternative.
“I believe I’m very laborious on myself,” Dern instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a post-fight information convention. “I’m at all times attempting to get higher. Even when I’ve an incredible efficiency, I believe I did so many issues mistaken. I believe that it’s plenty of play messing in your head, so it will probably take your journey and perhaps make it a bit of longer.
“However I believe ultimately, it actually helps you evolve to be the most effective fighter doable if you happen to can actually look again and have constructive criticism on your self. My thought isn’t to go combat for the belt after which lose it quick. My thought is to get the belt, and I need to be a dominant champion. I’m not in a rush to get there. I need to have good fights and I need to make a press release.”
Dern submitted Amanda Ribas (12-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC) in Spherical 3 of the cardboard’s fundamental occasion. With champion Zhang Weili set to sq. off with Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in February, Virna Jandiroba is the one different contender within the public discourse as to who might be the next title challenger.
No matter if her subsequent opponent is Jandiroba (21-3 MMA, 7-3) or another person, Dern mentioned enchancment is the secret. Saturday’s fight-ending armbar made her pleased with her developments.
“I really feel just like the hanging and the whole lot is organising extra of my jiu-jitsu,” Dern mentioned. “I really feel like after I get a submission, it’s not as a result of I used to be specializing in being a striker. However I believe it means my hanging and my takedowns are getting higher. It’s giving me extra alternatives to nonetheless get the combat to the bottom.
“I’m at all times attempting to get the combat to the bottom. Each combat, I’m attempting to get the combat to the bottom. I believe it simply form of reveals extra that the opposite areas are getting higher after I get the submission.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Combat Evening 249.
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