Freshly minted UFC champion Mackenzie Dern named Zhang Weili or Tatiana Suarez as the opponents she would like to fight next.
Dern, 32, realised a lifelong dream last Saturday when she took a unanimous decision over Virna Jandiroba in the co-main event at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi to claim the vacant women's strawweight title.
The title was up for grabs after being vacated by Weili, with the Chinese stepping up a weight class. She takes on Kyrgyz flyweight champion Valentino Shevchenko at UFC 322 in New York next month.
“I’m not gonna be like a baby champion,” Dern told the Ariel Helwani Show.
“I want whatever they [the UFC] want us to do – we’ll be ready, and we’ll train for that. I wanna beat the best. I am the best right now, but I wanna be able to beat whoever is coming.”
Weili certainly falls into "the best" category. Widely regarded as the finest 115-pounder of all time, the Chinese is a two-time champion in the strawweight division.
After dropping the title and suffering back-to-back losses to Rose Namajunas in 2021, Weili recaptured the belt in November 2022 with victory over Carla Esparza. She went on to defend the title three times, beating Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan and Suarez before announcing her decision to move up to face Shevchenko.
Weili is tied for the most title wins in the division (six) and has a professional MMA record of 26 wins against three losses. She is the first Chinese champion in UFC history.
“I think Weili, even if she was to lose to Valentina, with her being the former champion, that makes sense," said Dern, whose victory over Jandiroba at UFC 321 was her 16th in 21 pro bouts.
Whether Weili is prepared to drop back down to strawweight is likely to depend on the outcome of her bout against Shevchenko.
Suarez's only defeat in 12 fights came at the hands of Weili. She got back in the win column last time out, taking a unanimous decision over Lemos.
"And then, Tatiana is coming off a win ... maybe if she had another fight, get her win streak up ... I think winning two fights would be good enough to fight for the title. That's what I did,” Dern added.
Dern also gave an injury update following her five-round slugfest with Jandiroba.
The Brazilians left everything in the octagon, duking it out for 25 grueling minutes. The ferocious exchanges left both women battered and bruised, with both sporting almost identical bruising around the eyes and face.
While Jandiroba scored several takedowns, that only seemed to serve Dern's cause. The former Abu Dhabi World Pro jiu-jitsu champion is comfortable fighting off her back, and showed why with vicious strikes at Jandiroba off her back that left her opponent wincing.
Dern said in her post-fight press conference that her right elbow was "blowing up" and wore sunglasses during the interview to hide the damage to her face.
“Yeah, it’s totally swollen, you know,” Dern said, holding up her right hand to her host. “It’s not the worst I’ve been, but my hand is super swollen … My elbow’s like killing me from all the elbows [to Jandiroba].
"But it's OK, some people get it way worse. I could have had my jaw broken, my nose broken [as she did during her first fight with Jandiroba in 2020]. All this [the bruising] is just superficial."
In The Heights
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
THE%20FLASH
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
