Mackenzie Dern is getting ready to step into the octagon for the first time. As a black belt world champion it’s been tough for Dern to enter a new arena and start with 0-0 record. Dern is currently 5-0 in MMA with 4 victories in LFA and one in Invicta.
“Now, I think the girls will respect my ground, but they’re not scared to fight,” she said. “Before, I took one step forward, and they took 10 steps back.”
“My goal is to always just get in the fight and leave the fight without getting hurt – not to have a broken nose, or black eyes. I think the UFC is the platform that people start to see the real Mackenzie.”
Dern’s opponent said:
“You don’t have a gi on, (and) no-gi is different than gi,” Yoder said. “MMA is way different – because you’re getting punched in the face. You’re getting elbowed, you’re getting kneed, and hopefully not bit, but everything else is pretty much allowed.
“And on that side of it, I’ve had my fair share of face-punching and cuts and everything else. So I’m OK with being anywhere in the cage.”
Yoder is 5-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC and as such is a big underdog.
“I see it not going all three rounds,” Yoder said. “I see it hopefully getting a finish, whether it’s ground-and-pound or surprising the world with some kind of submission. You never know. Anything can happen, and I’ve had finishes. Four of my five wins have been from armbars, so don’t underestimate me.”
