UFC 321: Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern Preview & Prediction
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Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern takes place in the co-main event at UFC 321 for the Vacant Strawweight title in Abu Dhabi.
Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern facts
What time are Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 321? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC 321? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 321
What TV channel is UFC 321 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 321? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 321 main card
Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane (Heavyweight)
Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern (Women’s Strawweight)
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista (Bantamweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida (Heavyweight)
Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov (Light Heavyweight)
UFC 321 prelims
Nasrat Haqparast vs Quillan Salkilld (Lightweight
Ikram Aliskerov vs Park Jun-yong (Middlweight)
L'udovit Klein vs Mateusz Rebecki (Lightweight)
Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs Matheus Camilo (Lightweight)
Valter Walker vs Louie Sutherland (Heavyweight)
Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Miguel Delgado (Featherweight)
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Chris Barnett (Heavyweight)
Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo (Flyweight)
Jaqueline Amorim vs Mizuki Inoue (Women’s Strawweight)
Mackenzie Dern: Dangerous submission ace seeking her first UFC title
Ranked number five in the strawweight division, Mackenzie Dern (15-5) has long been regarded as one of the best grapplers in women’s MMA. The 32-year-old Brazilian boasts 53% of her career wins via submission and currently sits at 10-5 in the UFC.
Dern enters this bout on a two-fight winning streak, having submitted Amanda Ribas in January 2025 before outworking Lupita Godinez over three rounds the previous summer. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, Dern’s ground game remains her biggest weapon — her armbar and rear-naked choke finishes are textbook examples of elite-level technique. However, her takedown entries are often laboured, and her willingness to absorb damage while pressing forward can make her vulnerable against composed and technical strikers.
Virna Jandiroba: The division’s most consistent contender finally gets her shot
Sitting at 22-3 and ranked as the number one contender, Virna Jandiroba has quietly put together one of the most impressive resumes in the division. The 37-year-old has never been finished, holds eight UFC victories, and is riding a five-fight winning streak against solid opposition.
A former Invicta champion, Jandiroba is known for her dominant top control and suffocating submission pressure. Her BJJ pedigree is exceptional, with 64% of her wins coming by submission, but she has also shown improved wrestling and positional awareness in recent fights. While her striking remains awkward and unrefined, she uses it well to set up level changes and clinch entries, making her one of the most dangerous ground specialists in the division.
Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern prediction
This matchup is between two elite grapplers. Both women excel in scrambles, transitions, and submission chains, but Jandiroba appears to have the more disciplined and structured approach. She’s the stronger positional grappler, with better control once on top, while Dern’s tendency to chase submissions can sometimes lead to reversals or lost positions.
Dern’s aggression and submission flair always make her a live threat, but Jandiroba’s calmness, experience, and control should see her dictate where this fight takes place. Having faced and beaten a higher calibre of recent opposition, including fighters who have troubled Dern in the past, Jandiroba looks well-positioned to finally capture UFC gold.
Prediction: Virna Jandiroba to win
