Should one top contender not get their expected shot at Zhang Weili's UFC strawweight gold, Mackenzie Dern is open to facing her in the meantime instead.
Dern was among the big victors to emerge from this past weekend's UFC Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where she got back in the winner's circle at the expense of Loopy Godinez.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist entered the contest riding a two-fight losing skid, having been knocked out by former champion Jéssica Andrade last November and outpointed by Amanda Lemos this past February.
After falling out of contention at 115 pounds, a bounce-back result was crucial for the grappling ace on August 3, and she achieved that on the scorecards after going the distance in a close contest with Godinez.
Having defended her spot in the strawweight pecking order, Dern has her sights set back on those above her and, specifically, an undefeated name...
Dern Likes Matchup Against Wrestling-Heavy Suarez
During a backstage interview for ESPN MMA, Dern reflected on her successful performance in Abu Dhabi and assessed what could lie next for her inside the Octagon.
While she acknowledged that the #1-ranked Tatiana Suarez is likely next in line for a shot at the belt, Dern put her name in the hat to face the undefeated American if that's not the case.
I'd like to fight November, hopefully," Dern said. "I don't really know too many people that are open. I would like to fight Tatiana Suarez if she doesn't go for the belt. I think that would be a great matchup, a wrestler. So, I would like that fight.
Suarez has won both of her fights since returning from an injury layoff that spanned close to four years. After defeating Montana De La Rosa up at flyweight, the Californian re-entered title contention at 115 pounds by submitting Andrade last August in Nashville.
Dern, meanwhile, replaced Suarez on late notice to face Lemos earlier this year. While that decision wasn't rewarded with a triumph, the BJJ specialist has now got back to winning form and has her eyes on the ultimate UFC prize once again.