Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez successfully made weight for their stawweight main event Saturday afternoon.
Dern came in at 114.5 pounds, while Rodriguez was right on the mark at 115 pounds. Deron Winn pulled out of his matchup with Phi Hawes, who declined a short notice opponent in Chris Curtis. James Krause, who is at UFC Vegas 39 coaching friend Tim Elliott, offered to step up and fight Curtis, which is a pretty bold move. Unfortunately, the UFC could not make it work with the commission.
This card is an afternoon affair, to help make way for the big Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder heavyweight boxing matchup Saturday night. The prelims start at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT, with the main card beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main event matchups.
MAIN CARD (4:30PM ET/1:30PM PT)
CHRIS GUTIERREZ (16-4-2) VS. FELIPE DIAS COLARES (10-2-0)
Andrews:
SABINA MAZO (9-2-0) VS. MARIYA AGAPOVA (9-2-0)
Andrews: If Mazo can keep the fight standing, she can take the decision. I wouldn’t be shocked if either fighter won though.
Andrews Prediction: Sabina Mazo via UD
#9 TIM ELLIOTT (17-11-1) VS. #11 MATHEUS NICOLAU (16-2-0)
Andrews: Elliott is up there at 34 years old, six years younger than Nicolau. He is still a tough out but not at the level he was on TUF. Going with the younger Nicolau to take the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Matheus Nicolau via UD
RANDY BROWN (13-4-0) VS. JARED GOODEN (18-6-0)
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1446522087372431361?s=20
Andrews: Gooden came in three pounds heavy. That gives him a slight advantage on the ground, but Brown will be prepared to use strikes for the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Randy Brown via UD
#4 MACKENZIE DERN (11-1-0) VS. #6 MARINA RODRIGUEZ (14-1-2)
Strawweight contenders step up to the main stage tomorrow 👀
🇺🇸 @MackenzieDern vs 🇧🇷 @WMMARZ
[ #UFCVegas39 | Tomorrow | 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙨 2𝙥𝙢𝙀𝙏 | 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙙 4𝙥𝙢𝙀𝙏 | Live on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/4KTZWLT6KZ
— UFC (@ufc) October 8, 2021
Andrews: A great stylistic matchup. Dern wants to use her grappling and get the submission, Rodriguez wants to use her striking. I think Dern’s improved striking will be put to the test here. If it holds up, she gets the submission. If it doesn’t, Rodriguez gets the TKO or decision. I think it holds up.
Andrews Prediction: Mackenzie Dern via submission
Enjoy the fights.
@kenaiandrews
