UFC Fight Night: Dern vs Ribas 2

The main event saw a rematch between two of the strawweight division's most exciting fighters, Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribase. In their first encounter back in 2019, Ribas emerged victorious with a unanimous decision. This time, however, Dern was determined to showcase her evolution as a fighter and avenge that loss.

The fight was a classic grappler vs. grappler matchup, with both women displaying impressive takedown skills and ground control. Dern, known for her world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, spent much of the first round on top, controlling Ribas. Ribas, however, showed her own grappling prowess, reversing positions and landing ground and pound in the second round.

The third round saw the fight continue in a similar fashion, with both women trading takedowns and scrambles. But with just seconds left on the clock, Dern managed to secure an armbar from the bottom, forcing Ribas to tap with only four seconds remaining. This stunning finish not only earned Dern the victory but also highlighted her incredible submission skills and ability to capitalize on even the smallest of openings. The official scorecards reflected the back-and-forth nature of the fight, with Dern winning the first and third rounds, while Ribas took the second.

Dern's impressive performance earned her a "Performance of the Night" bonus, further solidifying her status as one of the most exciting fighters in the division. In her post-fight interview, she expressed her elation at the win, emphasizing her desire to climb the rankings and challenge for the title.

Social media erupted with praise for Dern's performance, with many hailing her as a future champion. Conor McGregor, never one to shy away from sharing his opinion, even chimed in, calling the fight "an excellent rivalry between the two Brazilians" and expressing his interest in seeing a trilogy.

This victory has significant implications for the women's strawweight division. Dern, currently ranked 8th, defeated the 6th-ranked Ribas, potentially propelling her further up the rankings and closer to a title shot. Her dominant grappling and ever-improving striking make her a serious threat to anyone in the division. As she continues to refine her skills and gain experience, Dern could very well be on her way to becoming a champion.

In another thrilling matchup, middleweights Roman Kopylov and Chris Curtis engaged in a back-and-forth war that kept fans on the edge of their seats. This fight was a striking showcase, with both men landing heavy shots and pushing the pace.

Curtis seemed to be gaining momentum as the fight progressed, but with just one second left in the final round, Kopylov detonated a head kick that echoed through the Apex, sending Curtis crashing to the canvas. The referee immediately waved off the fight, giving Kopylov a dramatic last-second knockout victory and a "Performance of the Night" bonus.

This stunning finish sparked a debate among fans and commentators, with some questioning whether the stoppage was premature. However, replays showed that Curtis was clearly hurt, and the referee's decision ultimately stood.

This victory marks a significant step forward for Kopylov, who showcased his knockout power and ability to finish fights in spectacular fashion.

Dern vs Ribas 2 co-main event featured a welterweight clash between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Carlston Harris. This fight proved to be a thrilling encounter, with both men showcasing their striking power and resilience.

Harris started strong, landing a significant strike that sent Ponzinibbio to the canvas. However, the Argentinian veteran weathered the storm and battled back, eventually taking control of the fight. In the third round, Ponzinibbio's relentless pressure and powerful strikes proved too much for Harris, leading to a TKO victory.

This win was particularly significant for Ponzinibbio, who had faced a series of health issues that kept him out of the Octagon for an extended period1. In his post-fight interview, he spoke about the challenges he had overcome and his determination to continue his climb back to the top of the welterweight division.

While his performance showed signs of ring rust, his resilience and determination were evident. It remains to be seen how he will perform against the top contenders in the division, but this victory undoubtedly marks a crucial step in his comeback journey.

Punahele Soriano wasted no time in making his presence felt in the welterweight division. Facing Uroš Medić, Soriano needed just one perfectly placed right hand to secure a knockout victory in a mere 31 seconds of the first round. This explosive performance demonstrated Soriano's power and his potential to become a force in the division.

Marco Tulio added another first-round finish to the night's impressive tally, securing a TKO victory over Ihor Potieria. Tulio's aggressive striking overwhelmed Potieria, leading to a stoppage at 3:04 of the first round.