Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Mackenzie Dern fights against Amanda Lemos during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Fight Night Dern vs. Ribas 2: Top Three Fights To Watch Out For!

Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Mackenzie Dern fights against Amanda Lemos during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC is kicking off 2025 with a bang at the APEX in Las Vegas. After a brief holiday break, fighters are ready to shake off the winter rust and get back to business. The first event of the year brings us an exciting rematch between two strawweight contenders, plus some fascinating matchups that could produce fireworks.

Here are the top 3 fights on the first Fight Night of 2025 you cannot afford to miss!

1) Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas Rematch

The last time these two met, back in 2019, Amanda Ribas walked away with a clear decision win. But a lot has changed since then. Mackenzie Dern has evolved from being just a jiu-jitsu ace into a more well-rounded fighter. She is coming off a solid win over Loopy Godinez and sits at #6 in the rankings.

Meanwhile, Ribas, at #8 in women’s strawweight and #10 in women’s flyweight, has been moving between weight classes, fighting at both strawweight and flyweight. She’s looking to bounce back after losing to Rose Namajunas last March.

Also Read: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Pure Friendship Makes Daniel Cormier Contemplate His Allegiances

2) Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov

Fans are in for a fight that could steal the show. Curtis Blaydes, aka “The Action Man,” isn’t just a clever nickname; it is a promise to fans. He is back after a tough loss to Brendan Allen, in which he fought through a torn hamstring.

Roman Kopylov brings his own brand of excitement, having won four of his last five fights. Both guys love to strike, and neither has ever heard of the word ‘boring.’ This fight has all the ingredients of a classic middleweight slugfest.

3) Christian Rodriguez vs. Austin Bashi

Christian Rodriguez has earned himself quite the nickname “The Prospect Killer.” He is the guy who handed the much-hyped Raul Rosas Jr. his first loss. Now he is facing Bashi, an undefeated newcomer who’s been turning heads.

Austin Bashi comes in with a perfect 13-0 record and eight finishes in the featherweight division. Rodriguez is trying to bounce back from a loss, while Bashi wants to prove he belongs in the big leagues.

This card feels like a perfect way to start the year. While some fighters are still working off their holiday dinners, these athletes are ready to set the tone for 2025. The main event could reshape the strawweight rankings, and the middleweight bout promises fireworks. Plus, fighting at the APEX always brings its own unique vibe; every punch, kick, and grunt echoes through the room.

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Amanda Ribas

Austin Bashi

Chris Curtis

Christian Rodriguez

Mackenzie Dern

Roman Kopylov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!