MMA
UFC 330 winner Mackenzie Dern doesn't need to beat Zhang Weili to solidify title reign: "I proved I was the champ"
Zuffa LLCMackenzie Darn is still the women's strawweight champion following UFC 330, and she doesn't feel a bout with Zhang Weili is necessary to vindicate her title run.
Dern thwarted the challenge of Gillian Robertson inside Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia this past Saturday. At the end of the opening frame, Dern worked her jiu-jitsu game and nearly had a rear-naked choke prior to the horn. Dern had success throughout the fight setting up takedowns and maintaining top control, and it earned her a unanimous decision win.
This was Dern's first successful UFC Women's Strawweight Championship defense. Some fans have been calling for Dern to face former 115-pound champion Weili, who was never defeated for the gold in her second reign. Instead, Weili vacated the championship in an effort to chase the women's flyweight title.
During the UFC 330 post-fight presser, Dern dismissed the idea that she needs to defeat Weili in order to give her title reign credibility (via MMAJunkie).
“I felt like the champion before I won the belt,†Dern said. “I just feel like I solidified myself even more as a champ for the fans that they would say that. I don't think I need to (beat) Weili to be a champ. People retire. I'm not saying that's what she's going to do but the more defenses I can get at this, whoever comes next, I think I proved I was the champ. Gillian was on a five-fight winning streak. Virna was a four-fight winning streak. I just became a four-fight winning streak. I don't know how much more I need to do from that.â€
Weili hasn't competed since falling short in her bid for the women's 125-pound championship back in Nov. 2025. Dern didn't commit to calling out the Fight Wing UFC Hall of Famer, and said it's up to the UFC matchmakers to determine her next challenger. If it is indeed Weili, Dern feels she will be ready for her second title defense.
Do you agree with Mackenzie Dern, or do you think she needs a win over Zhang Weili to solidify her UFC title run? Share your opinion in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
MMA
Jasmine Jasudavicius expects Erin Blanchfield to wrestle 'once she feels these hands' at UFC Edmonton
Jasmine Jasudavicius is looking to cement herself as a title contender at UFC Edmonton.
Jasudavicius is set to take on Erin Blanchfield in the co-main event of UFC Edmonton. Jasudavicius enters the bout as a +255 underdog while the American is a -350 favorite on FanDuel. The fight was supposed to happen at UFC 330 in August, but an injury to Blanchfield delayed it to August. Although the Canadian was frustrated to have the fight postponed, she is ecstatic for it to be taking place in Edmonton now.
“That is exactly it. It was like two weeks out that I heard it was being moved,†Jasudavicius said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “Initially, I was so frustrated because I just put in a whole camp. I was ready, my weight was good, and I was firing on all cylinders. It got moved, and at least we are fighting in Canada now. This works out even better.â€
With extra time, Jasudavicius said she did take some time off to avoid burnout. But she also feels like the extra time will only help her, as she knows Blanchfield is one of the best in the world.
“She's talented; she's one of the top fighters in the world. I won't be talking too much shit. She's skilled, but I know how skilled I am, and I am ready to test myself against the best girls in the world,†Jasudavicius said.
Jasmine Jasudavicius hopeful to earn title shot at UFC Edmonton
Although Jasudavicius is an underdog, she has full confidence in her skillset. She believes she is better on the feet. So, she expects Blanchfield to try and wrestle her a ton, especially once she lands a couple of punches.
If Jasudavicius can turn Blanchfield into just a wrestler, she is confident she will be able to pull off the upset win at UFC Edmonton.
“I'm not too sure. I've watched all of her fights, and it's not like she's going to the wrestling right away; she is comfortable with striking. But I do think once she feels these hands, she will be shooting a little bit more. … My hand will be raised at the end of the night,†Jasudavicius said.
If Jasudavicius gets her hand raised, she believes it will cement her as a title contender at flyweight. And, it would set up a rematch with Natalia Silva, which the Canadian would be thrilled to get the chance to not only avenge her loss, but to take the belt off her.
“It would mean a lot; it's a big milestone,†Jasudavicius concluded. “Just getting into the UFC is a big deal; getting 10 fights in the UFC is a big deal; to get 10 wins is another feather in my cap. … That would be my dream. She gave me the lost which hurt, so if I can take the belt off her, it would fulfill me. I show well, say I finish Blanchfield, it would be me in the talks to get a title shot.â€
Do you think Jasmine Jasudavicius will beat Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton?
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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