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Jason Parillo, Mackenzie Dern's head coach, believes a fight with Zhang Weili is inevitable.
Despite having the UFC women's strawweight title in his stable, both Parillo and Dern (16-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) still see Weili as the woman to beat. After all, Weili never lost her title and, in many eyes, remains the best women's 115-pound fighter on the planet. Weili vacated the UFC strawweight title in pursuit of becoming champion at 125 pounds. Unfortunately for her, Weili lost a lopsided decision to Valentina Shevchenko in November.
Since, there hasn't been a definite answer on Weili's plans, but many expect her to return to her natural weight class and try to reclaim what was once hers.
"She's kind of in a position where she's got the title, and obviously, Weili is a fight that she needs to fight, and she knows that," Parillo told MMA Junkie Radio. "We've talked about it, and she's into it. We've been up to this point assuming that will be our fight. Is it going to be? I don't know. I'm fine with her fighting anybody."
There are a few interesting contenders for Dern currently active at strawweight. Gillian Robertson defeated former title challenger Amanda Lemos earlier this month, putting together five wins in a row. Also, Loopy Godinez fights former UFC title challenger Tatiana Suarez at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11.
There could be another contender besides Weili coming Dern's way, but the team is still focused on the Chinese fighter.
"If we have in our mind fighting Weili, anybody on the outside is underneath the 'worry umbrella' let's call it, of the division," Parillo said. "We should worry about everybody, especially in this division; everyone is razor close. It's a thin line in this division. All these girls beat each other on any given day. But, we have to look at Weili like our biggest challenge, obviously. I don't think anybody can really argue that, but maybe somebody will because there are opinions everywhere. At the end of the day, we should be concerned. Mackenzie will have to fight now before the summer is over, hopefully before that or midsummer even. But it's whoever."
Dern awaits her first title defense. She won the UFC women's strawweight belt in October, defeating Virna Jandirova in a competitive decision. The victory put her on a three-fight winning streak, having submitted Amanda Ribas and outpointed Godinez in her previous bouts.
Dern is back in the gym and preparing for her first order as champion, and so far, Parillo likes what he sees.
"The hard work is there, the mindset, I talk to her on a daily basis, and her head is in a good place," Parillo said. "Her personal life is great. Everything. It would really be a great time to fight Weili because of where we're at."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Coach Jason Parillo: Mackenzie Dern 'needs to fight' Zhang Weili
Continue reading...
Despite having the UFC women's strawweight title in his stable, both Parillo and Dern (16-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) still see Weili as the woman to beat. After all, Weili never lost her title and, in many eyes, remains the best women's 115-pound fighter on the planet. Weili vacated the UFC strawweight title in pursuit of becoming champion at 125 pounds. Unfortunately for her, Weili lost a lopsided decision to Valentina Shevchenko in November.
Since, there hasn't been a definite answer on Weili's plans, but many expect her to return to her natural weight class and try to reclaim what was once hers.
"She's kind of in a position where she's got the title, and obviously, Weili is a fight that she needs to fight, and she knows that," Parillo told MMA Junkie Radio. "We've talked about it, and she's into it. We've been up to this point assuming that will be our fight. Is it going to be? I don't know. I'm fine with her fighting anybody."
There are a few interesting contenders for Dern currently active at strawweight. Gillian Robertson defeated former title challenger Amanda Lemos earlier this month, putting together five wins in a row. Also, Loopy Godinez fights former UFC title challenger Tatiana Suarez at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11.
There could be another contender besides Weili coming Dern's way, but the team is still focused on the Chinese fighter.
"If we have in our mind fighting Weili, anybody on the outside is underneath the 'worry umbrella' let's call it, of the division," Parillo said. "We should worry about everybody, especially in this division; everyone is razor close. It's a thin line in this division. All these girls beat each other on any given day. But, we have to look at Weili like our biggest challenge, obviously. I don't think anybody can really argue that, but maybe somebody will because there are opinions everywhere. At the end of the day, we should be concerned. Mackenzie will have to fight now before the summer is over, hopefully before that or midsummer even. But it's whoever."
Dern awaits her first title defense. She won the UFC women's strawweight belt in October, defeating Virna Jandirova in a competitive decision. The victory put her on a three-fight winning streak, having submitted Amanda Ribas and outpointed Godinez in her previous bouts.
Dern is back in the gym and preparing for her first order as champion, and so far, Parillo likes what he sees.
"The hard work is there, the mindset, I talk to her on a daily basis, and her head is in a good place," Parillo said. "Her personal life is great. Everything. It would really be a great time to fight Weili because of where we're at."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Coach Jason Parillo: Mackenzie Dern 'needs to fight' Zhang Weili
Continue reading...
