Pros react after Amanda Lemos defeats Mackenzie Dern at UFC 298

A women’s strawweight bout between Amanda Lemos and Mackenzie Dern served as the featured prelim of tonight’s UFC 298 event.

Lemos (14-3-1 MMA) was returning for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Weili Zhang in a fight for the promotion‘s strawweight title at last August’s UFC 292 event. Prior to that setback, the 36-year-old Brazilian was coming off stoppage wins over Michelle Waterson and Marina Rodriguez respectively.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie Dern (13-5 MMA) had also entered tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a TKO loss to former division champion Jessica Andrade in her most previous effort at November’s UFC 295 event in New York City. Prior to that setback, Dern was coming off a unanimous decision win over Angela Hill in May of 2023.

Tonight’s ‘Dern vs. Lemos’ matchup proved to be a thrilling back and forth affair. Amanda Lemos got off to a strong start in the opening couple of minutes, battering Mackenzie Dern with low kicks and punches. However, Dern was able to secure a nice takedown in the final two minutes and proceeded to close out the opening round in top position. Round two was a big five minutes for Lemos, who nearly finished Dern after dropping her with a right hand. Mackenzie came back strong in round three, hurting Lemos with a right hand before taking the fight to the floor and controlling the action on the canvas. After fifteen-minutes of hard-fought action, Lemos was awarded the decision victory.

Official UFC 298 Results: Amanda Lemos def. Mackenzie Dern by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Dern vs. Lemos’ below:

Let’s go @MackenzieDern!!! #JustScrap

— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) February 18, 2024

It wasn’t easy getting here for Dern. Needs to really make the most of it! #UFC298

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 18, 2024

This is storms cousin

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 18, 2024

Jeff Molina was just beatin up Dern for most of that round and nobody stopped it

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 18, 2024

Slick reversal 🫡

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 18, 2024

If Dern can be smart push the pace she could magny this lfg

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 18, 2024

Post-fight reactions to Amadna Lemos defeating Mackenzie Dern at UFC 298:

Dern is an absolute warrior! What a show of heart.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) February 18, 2024

WHAT A FIGHT! #UFC298

— Josh Evanoff (@JoshEvanoff) February 18, 2024

Who would you like to see Amanda Lemos fight next following her decision victory over Mackenzie Dern this evening in California?