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UFC's Mackenzie Dern: 'I Don't Regret Coming Back' 4 Months After Giving Birth
May 29, 2020
UFC women's strawweight Mackenzie Dern said she doesn't regret returning to the Octagon in October just four months after giving birth to her daughter, Moa.
Dern told TMZ Sports in an interview released Friday she doesn't believe her return, a unanimous-decision loss to Amanda Ribas, came too soon.
"No, definitely not," she said. "I felt good for the fight. I was prepared. I lost, but ya know I don't think it was because it was too soon. I think Amanda was just better than me that night and she came out with the win and I came out with the loss and that's it. I don't regret coming back at that time."
Dern carried an undefeated MMA record (7-0) into her clash with Ribas, which was her first fight since a May 2018 triumph over Amanda Cooper.
The 27-year-old Arizona native will return to action Saturday night against Hannah Cifers as part of the main card of UFC Fight Night.
She previously spoke with Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting about her makeshift training camp.
"I obviously haven't sparred with many people and different styles to feel that well," Dern said May 8. "Gyms aren't open, so my preparation is Rocky Balboa-style, running at the beach and things like that, but I'm feeling great and adapting everything we need."
Dern (-440, bet $100 to win $22.73) is a heavy favorite over Cifers (+350, bet $100 to win $350), per Caesars Palace.
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley will face off against Gilbert Burns in the show's main event.