The UFC kicks off its schedule for 2025 Saturday night at the Apex, where strawweight contenders Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas will run it back.
After a break from staging events over the festive period and first week of the new year, the mixed martial arts leader is back in action this weekend, with a host of prospects, veterans, and contenders looking to begin their campaigns in 2025 on the right foot.
And the main event presents an opportunity for Dern to avenge the first defeat of her professional career from back in 2019, when the decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist was comfortably outpointed by Ribas in Tampa, Florida.
Off the back of a victory over Loopy Godinez in Abu Dhabi that snapped her first losing skid last August, the #6-ranked Dern will look to keep her ball rolling on Jan. 11. But one former fighter-turned-UFC color commentator is favoring her opponent to spoil those plans.
During a recent episode of Michael Bisping's Believe You Me podcast, Paul Felder broke down why he gives the edge to the lower-ranked Ribas in Saturday's headliner.
At this moment, I'm leaning towards Amanda Ribas. I just think she's a bit more of a versatile striker on the feet, uses more weapons," Felder said. "Coming off that five-round fight with Rose (Namajunas), she's got a lot of experience with other good strikers and people that are well-rounded.
I think if it gets to the ground, she's good enough with her defense to avoid any kind of crazy submission (from Dern)," Felder continued. "So I'm going for Ribas, probably by decision.
Ribas, who has a number next to her name at both 115 and 125 pounds, was most recently in action last March when she battled former two-time strawweight queen Rose Namajunas in a flyweight main event.
A few months on from a memorable knockout win over Luana Pinheiro, the Brazilian's habit of exchanging wins and losses continued, with "Thug Rose" securing the nod on all three scorecards.