After a weekend off, the UFC is back with their 61st installment of a UFC Fight Night event at the APEX in Las Vegas. Mackenzie Dern (12-2) will be taking on Yan Xiaonan (15-3) in the main event bout. With two different styles clashing in the cage, it makes the Dern vs Xiaonan betting analysis much more interesting. Check the Dern vs Xionan Betting Analysis below.
Fighters’ Previous Fights
Dern is coming off of a close split decision win over Tecia Torres in April. Yan has dropped two fights in a row. One against the current champion Carla Esparza, and one to Marina Rodriguez in March.
Dern vs. Yan Betting Analysis
Mackenzie Dern
Mackenzie Dern is one of the biggest stars in the UFC strawweight division. She has a big following on social media, but she backs up her popularity with her performances.
After dropping her first main event fight almost a year ago to Marina Rodriguez, she looks to make the most of this moment after getting it a second time in her young career.
Expectations for Dern
Dern will be looking for one of her signature submission finishes to make a statement on Saturday night. Dern has 7 submission victories out of her 12 wins in pro-MMA.
With no KOs under her belt, Yan will be confident when standing in striking range with Dern, and it will be up to the American to get the fight on the ground and get to work on her jiu-jitsu game.
Yan Xiaonan
Even though Yan has dropped her last two fights against some top opponents, she will be fully prepared and ready for this big main event fight.
She has the support from her home country of China to become the next big star from there in the UFC. Yan has a much different style than Dern.
With zero submissions and 7 KO finishes, she is actually the exact opposite of her counterpart in the cage on Saturday. Yan will be looking to keep this fight on the feet and take Dern out with her hands.
Yan’s Abilities
Yan has some very high-level kickboxing and a lot of power in her hands for this weight division. She can knock people out in one punch, which will surely put Dern in danger at any given moment when the fight is not on the ground.
Even though Yan has no finishes in the UFC, she has hurt many of her opponents, and maybe 5 rounds will be enough time to put one away.
UFC News
- Dern says having a daughter in 2019 has changed her mindset with fighting. “I’m way more focused. I want to win my fights.”
Dern vs. Yan Betting Preview
Dern vs Xiaoman odds are in favor of the former #1 ranked IBJJF competitor this weekend. Mackenzie Dern has arguably the best pound-for-pound jiu-jitsu in the UFC.
She is an absolute weapon once she hits the canvas with her opponent and will always be a danger at any moment.
With Yan being the underdog at +190, she has lots of value. This fight is a clash of two styles that will always make an interesting MMA fight.
Yan’s Style
The Dern vs Xiaonan betting analysis wouldn’t be complete if the style of Yan wasn’t mentioned as a very big factor in this fight. Yan will most likely look to pressure Dern to keep her on her back foot and against the cage.
She will also be throwing her side kicks to the body and head to keep Dern off of her and then will look to set up her big overhand right hand she throws. This can be a serious problem for Dern in the early rounds.
We haven’t seen Yan go 5 rounds yet, and Dern already has this experience of a main event under her belt. Once Yan is too tired to keep the fight on the feet, it will automatically turn heavily in Dern’s favor.
If you are tired and in the world of Mackenzie Dern on the floor, it will be a tough night at the office.
Dern vs. Yan Betting Predictions
With this card being kind of under the radar on the UFC schedule, expect a surprisingly great night of fights. This main event has a lot of potential to be a war between two very tough women that can truly fight.
The first few rounds might go to Yan here. She will keep the pressure on Dern and will be pretty solid at defending trips and takedowns to keep the fight on the feet. She will also land some clean shots on Dern against the cage.
Who to Bet On?
This fight will be going to the scorecards. Once Dern turns it on and starts having success, Yan will be too sweaty and slippery to sink in a choke. But I think Yan wins this fight if she is healthy and in good shape coming into this one.
Yan will do well in her submission defense and will be able to hurt Dern on the feet early and turn it on again in the 4th round to steal a late round from the judges.
This will be a big win that will set up a big moment for Yan in her next UFC fight. Great value in Yan Xiaonan and a very winnable fight for her. Hammer the money line.
UFC 61 Pick: Yan Xiaonan to win (+185)
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