Mackenzie Dern wanted Rose Namajunas at UFC 295, got Jessica Andrade instead

Strawweight Mackenzie Dern is coming off a win over Angela Hill heading into UFC 295 on Saturday.  She asked for a former champion and that’s what she got but not the one she wanted.  

Dern wanted to face former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, but instead was matched against former titleholder Jessica Andrade.  Another thing she wanted was to fight at Madison Square Garden.    

“This is the most famous arena in the world, so that was always a goal of mine to fight here.  After my last fight I asked for a former champion so it’s kind of like they gave me everything.  I have no excuses so I need to do good,” Dern said at the UFC 295 Media Day on Wednesday.  

Dern wasn’t surprised when the fight promotion offered a fight with Andrade.  She’s a former champion who has been accepting whatever fights the UFC offered.  

“I know she’s down to fight and I saw her accepting a lot of fights.  They had offered her to me last year, but it was a short notice and I had said no.  When they offered her, it was something that I expected.  I’m seeing her during the year accepting these fights,” said Dern.  

“I had asked for Rose, but Rose had gone up a weight.  I think it’s even a better matchup for me, Jessica.  I know she had a full fight camp for this.  I know she’s coming off three loses.  I was like, oh, do you thinks she’s going to be dismotivated?  If she’s anything like me, she’s going to be super-motivated.  No one wants to lose four time,” said Dern.  “A loss just pushes you to try and get better especially when you have a full fight camp.  l’m hoping that five fights a year takes a toll on her a little bit.  Everyone knows she has knockout power.  This is a big test.”  

“She didn’t lose to anyone that’s not up there.  It doesn’t take anything away.  I know she’s going to come totally motivated for this fight.  I was hoping for Rose or something, but Jessica is still a battle.  I think she’s a good matchup for me.”    

Dern and Andrade fight on the main card, just before the two title fights.  A win over Andrade will put Dern in the Top 5 rankings and within eyeshot of a title shot.