The UFC kicked off 2025 with a bang, delivering a thrilling UFC Fight Night at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Packed with jaw-dropping knockouts, dynamic submissions, and hard-fought battles, UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2 proved to be an unforgettable evening for fight fans. Here’s a complete breakdown of the action.
Main Event: Mackenzie Dern Defeats Amanda Ribas via Submission (Armbar)
In a highly anticipated rematch, Mackenzie Dern showcased her elite jiu-jitsu skills, securing an armbar submission against Amanda Ribas with just four seconds left in the third round.
- Round Breakdown:
- Round 1: Dern dominated from top position, controlling Ribas on the canvas.
- Round 2: Ribas mounted an impressive comeback, navigating an omoplata attempt and working effectively from top control.
- Round 3: The final round was spent on the mat again, with Ribas in control until Dern transitioned to mount and locked in a deep armbar, forcing Ribas to tap.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Dern, avenging her previous loss to Ribas and solidifying her status as a top strawweight contender.
Co-Main Event: Santiago Ponzinibbio Defeats Carlston Harris via TKO
The co-main event saw a thrilling clash between seasoned welterweights Santiago Ponzinibbio and Carlston Harris. Ponzinibbio rallied from adversity, securing a TKO victory in the third round.
- Key Moments:
- Harris dropped and staggered Ponzinibbio multiple times in the first two rounds.
- Ponzinibbio showcased grit and resilience, pressing forward and landing powerful strikes to overwhelm Harris, prompting a stoppage at 3:13 of Round 3.
Other Main Card Results
- Cesar Almeida Defeats Abdul Razak Alhassan via KO
- Almeida landed a devastating counter left hand at 4:16 of Round 1, turning the tables after being rocked by Alhassan.
- Roman Kopylov Defeats Chris Curtis via TKO (Head Kick)
- In a back-and-forth battle, Kopylov delivered a spectacular high kick at 4:59 of Round 3, earning a dramatic late stoppage.
- Christian Rodriguez Defeats Austin Bashi via Unanimous Decision
- Rodriguez handed Bashi his first career loss, landing meaningful strikes and defending effectively against takedowns.
- Punahele Soriano Defeats Uroš Medić via KO
- Soriano wasted no time, securing a 31-second knockout with a thunderous right hand.
Preliminary Card Highlights
- Felipe Bunes Defeats Jose Johnson via Submission (Armbar)
- Bunes showcased slick grappling skills, securing a quick armbar at 2:04 of Round 1.
- Marco Tulio Defeats Ihor Potieria via TKO
- Tulio dominated with strikes, earning a stoppage at 3:04 of Round 1.
- Jacobe Smith Defeats Preston Parsons via KO
- Smith delivered a stunning left-hand knockout just 1:13 into Round 1.
- Fatima Kline Defeats Viktoriia Dudakova via TKO
- Kline’s relentless striking led to a stoppage at 4:27 of Round 2.
Event Summary
From Mackenzie Dern’s masterful submission to Punahele Soriano’s lightning-fast KO, UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2 delivered nonstop excitement. With standout performances across the card, the UFC has set a high bar for the rest of the year.
