Mackenzie Dern defeats Virna Jandiroba in controversial decision at UFC 321

Top women's flyweight contender Virna Jandiroba faced No. 5 ranked Mackenzie Dern in the UFC 321 co-main event on Saturday with the vacant title on the line. 

Jandiroba entered the title fight rematch at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi riding a five-fight winning streak. Dern was coming off back-to-back wins and was ranked No. 5 in the weight class. 

The two first fought at UFC 256 in December 2020 with Dern defeating the Brazilian via unanimous decision.

The two exchanged leg kicks in the center of the octagon to start the first frame. They wasted little time mixing it up. Dern connected with a right hand while Jandiroba responded with a leg kick. Dern landed a right hand and Jandiroba looked to get the fight to the ground. Dern shook off the attempt. After exchanging jabs, Jandiroba changed levels and put Dern on her back midway through the round. 

Jandiroba stood and Dern got to her feet. She delivered a knee to the body before separating. Dern stepped into the pocket with a hard right hand. Jandiroba secured a second takedown. Dern quickly got to her feet but Jandiroba kept the pressure on in the clinch. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dern.

Dern landed a right hand in the opening seconds of the second frame. She changed levels and looked for a takedown. Jandiroba defended the attempt. Jandiroba connected with a clean counter right hand. She changed levels and took Dern down. After a few hammer fists, Jandiroba let Dern up. Jandiroba changed levels again and took Dern down. She delivered right hands. Dern threw punches from the bottom. Dern got to her in the closing seconds and Jandiroba hit hr with a right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Jandiroba. 

Jandiroba caught a kick and put Dern on her back in the opening moments of the third. Dern got to her feet and landed a combination. Jandiroba presses Dern against the cage and took her down. Jandiroba maintained top position. Dern was active off her back but it's difficult to say how the judges will score it.

They took the center of the cage in the fourth. Jandiroba landed a combination. Dern began to press forward. She went to the body with a kick. They exchanged jabs. Jandiroba connected with a counter right hand. Dern changed levels but couldn't secure the takedown midway through the round. They worked for position inside the clinch before Dern disengaged. Jandiroba faked a takedown attempt and landed a right hand. Jandiroba took Dern down and let her up. Jandiroba was able to land shots. Dern changed levels and put Jandiroba on her back. MMAWeely scored the round 10-9 for Jandiroba.

They came out swinging in the final frame. They exchanged right hands. Dern pressed forward with a flurry. Jandiroba changed levels and took Dern down. Dern got to her feet and Jandiroba immediately looked for another takedown. The worked for position inside the clinch. Jandiroba connected with a short elbow on the inside. Dern circled free. Jandiroba ducked under a punch and secured another takedown with two minutes remaining. Dern delivered punches and elbows from the bottom but it's hard to say how much weight the judges will put on that. Jandiroba let Dern up. Jandiroba snapped Dern's head back with a combination. Dern took Jandiroba down in the closing seconds. 

The judges scored the fight for Dern via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.