UFC strawweight, Mackenzie Dern, expects the most aggressive version of Yan Xiaonan as they meet in the UFC Vegas 61 main event on Saturday night.
This will be Dern’s second main event, after falling to defeat in a FOTN with Marina Rodriguez in her first. Like her first, this fight could have very interesting repercussions at the top of the strawweight division.
The Brazilian currently stands at fifth in the rankings, whilst her opponent sits just one place behind in sixth. Yan will look to end a two-fight losing streak in her first main event. However, she must get through the very tricky Mackenzie Dern.
What Will Yan Bring?
Speaking on what she expects Yan to bring, she stated: “It’s so hard. What I think with both of them [her previous two defeats] she had high volume. She showed she has high volume, she’s very technical, she has great technique, she always hits the right spot and has heavy hands.
“But, at least with Carla [Esparza], what I saw was obviously, the ground. I saw big openings on the ground. I didn’t see her try to defend that much, kind of a little bit lost on the ground. So, of course I really believe that when I take her to the ground, I’ll finish it. The hard part will be getting her to the ground.
“She’s at Team Alpha Male, with Urijah Faber. So, I know for sure that her wrestling takedowns are gonna be way better, more on point. And the fact that, she’s coming off two losses, I think that will bring that extra motivation for her to not go to the ground.
“You’re coming in with two losses, so you don’t want to get a third one, you know? I think she’s more aggressive because I fought Marina too. I also fought Tecia Torres, and both of them move so much. They hit and move. And Yan, she likes to stay more in the pocket, a little more aggressive.
“Now, seeing that she’s coming off those two losses, whether she’ll stick to her natural style, more aggressive and safe, which, as a grappler, that’s better for us, when they’re not running so much.
“I’m really interested to see what her strategy will be. Will she changes her style a little bit? Will she be able to keep that for five rounds? Who knows, we saw Amanda Nunes who came out against Juliana Pena in southpaw, so we’ll see. But take it to the ground and finish it is the strategy.”
How do you see this UFC main event playing out? Can Mackenzie Dern defeat and finish Yan Xiaonan? We’ll be covering the whole card here at Combat Sports UK.
