The first fight night event of 2025 kicked off with an electrifying start on the preliminary card. Fans gathered on Saturday night at the UFC APEX and witnessed some top-tier action. However, the main event stole the show as Mackenzie Dern emerged victorious, successfully avenging her previous loss to Amanda Ribas. On top of that, Dern secured a significant payday with her impressive win.
Mackenzie Dern delivered a dramatic last-minute finish, securing the win by submitting Amanda Ribas at 4:56 of Round 3. It was a stellar start to the year for the Brazilian fighter. According to SportySalaries, Dern earned a fixed payout of $570k, which included a $50k performance bonus, a $100k win bonus, and $20k in sponsorship money.
Amanda Ribas’ purse for UFC Vegas 101 was reported to exceed $250k, with her total earnings rising to $415k, including a performance bonus. Other fighters also walked away with solid paychecks, such as Santiago Ponzinibbio with $365k and Roman Kopylov with $225k, making it a rewarding night for many participants.
Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas: Round By Round
In the main event, Dern showcased her dynamic ground game, submitting Amanda Ribas in the final seconds of Round 3. The fight began with Dern utilizing calf and deep kicks while Ribas connected with sharp combinations, gaining the edge in striking.
Dern responded with a takedown, securing top control but causing minimal damage. In Round 2, Ribas reversed a takedown attempt, landing on top, but Dern threatened with an armbar. Despite Ribas’ resilience, Dern’s grappling expertise shone through.
In the final round, Ribas landed clean strikes, forcing Dern to rely on her ground game again. Though Ribas initially reversed another takedown, Dern capitalized late, transitioning to full mount and locking in an armbar at 4:56, forcing Ribas to tap. This thrilling victory not only avenged Dern’s previous loss but also raised questions about her next step—whether she’ll aim for a title shot or face another contender first.
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