Jiu-jitsu legend Mackenzie Dern is able to face Crazy Godinez this Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi, and he or she feels at house competing on the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Dern made a reputation for herself gathering gold medals in jiu-jitsu earlier than transitioning to MMA in 2016, and the victory that introduced her largest jiu-jitsu highlight onto her befell in 2015 in Abu Dhabi, when she defeated the a lot heavier Gabi Garcia en path to capturing absolutely the title on the Abu Dhabi World Professional.
“I’ve a lot love for Abu Dhabi and the individuals right here, the sheik, and their help for jiu-jitsu and battle itself,” Dern advised MMA Combating. “They’ve been investing a lot within the sport for thus lengthy. The vibe I really feel being again right here is so good, I’m feeling one hundred pc that the win will come Saturday.”
Dern defeated Michelle Nicolini and Vanessa Oliveira to win double gold on the 2015 World Professional, however it was her hard-fought absolute semifinal win over Garcia that modified every part in her profession.
“If that hadn’t occur, perhaps I wouldn’t have taken the following step of coming to MMA and every part else,” Dern stated. “It’s loopy the steps we soak up life, and now I’m again right here. I imagine it’s going to be one other unimaginable second right here.”
Grappling promotion ADXC will maintain an occasion Friday that includes the likes of Urijah Faber, Bibiano Fernandes, and Chad Mendes in no-gi matches, and Dern stated she’s in talks for a possible match on Oct. 25, the night time earlier than UFC 308 lands in Abu Dhabi. Her father, jiu-jitsu legend Megaton Dias, may be on the cardboard.
For now, she’s centered on beating Godinez at UFC Abu Dhabi to snap a two-fight shedding skid by the hands of Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos, and feels extra motivated having her daughter Moa along with her throughout battle week.
“I joke that I misplaced these fights and Moa wasn’t there watching me battle, so she’s right here in Abu Dhabi with me,” stated Dern. “I got here right here two weeks early and I’m feeling at house. It calms down my coronary heart a bit, and that’s one thing I’ve been engaged on extra as a result of generally I am going in too emotional and switch the battle right into a brawl after the primary punch lands, and generally that’s pointless. The battle might be 10 occasions simpler for me if I keep calm.”
“I do know it gained’t be a straightforward battle, in no way, however I simply fought Amanda Lemos, Jessica Andrade, Amanda Hill, who additionally beat Crazy,” she continued. “I’ve fought a former champion, former contenders. Crazy may be very robust, however I don’t know if she’s fought opponents like that, you realize? I imagine Crazy has to evolve in some areas to win this battle, however I’ve been evolving as nicely.”
