Dern is currently ranked No. 6 and enters 2025 with a win over Loopy Godinez in Abu Dhabi in early August, but is also at a crossroads when it comes to her position in the division. In the past, she has beaten those behind her in the divisional hierarchy but struggled to get past those in front of her, and if the multiple Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion is ever going to make a real push to fight for championship gold, this is it Is this trend going to have to change and this has to be the year that starts.

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One of only two fighters currently ranked in two weight classes, Ribas returns to the 115-pound division after losing her only fight of 2024, a flyweight main event against Rose Namajunas, last March. While she split her time between the two divisions, Ribas was generally successful at strawweight, compiling a 5-1 record, while at flyweight she posted a 2-3 record in five fights.

Ribas won the first meeting between the two more than five years ago in Tampa and scored a clean sweep on the points list. Both have certainly grown and improved in the following years, but it will be interesting to see if these developments create a different dynamic between the two inside the Octagon or if things develop in a similar direction and lead to a similar outcome .

Additional main card matchups

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Carlston Harris

Santiago Ponzinibbio and Carlston Harris meet in Saturday’s co-main event in a battle of welterweight veterans.