Mackenzie Dern interested in Tatiana Suarez matchup after UFC Abu Dhabi win

Mackenzie Dern likes the idea of fighting Tatiana Suarez next.

Mackenzie Dern wants no easy fights, hence the reason why she’s interested in fighting undefeated contender Tatiana Suareznext.

The standout grappler expressed her interest in fighting Suarez following her latest win in the octagon. Dern (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), who defeated Loopy Godinez (12-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) on the main card of Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7, is eyeing a November return. She’s willing to take anyone, but would like it to be against Suarez.

“‘What’s next for me? I would like to fight maybe November – that would be a good time for me,” Dern told UFC.com. “That would be four (fights) in a year, from November to November. … The division is moving.

“I think Virna (Jandiroba) will move for the belt now, so we’ll see. Maybe Tatiana Suarez if she’s not fighting for the belt. That would be a great matchup with a wrestler. So we’ll see, but that would be a fight I’d really like.”

Dern snapped a two-fight losing skid to Amanda Lemos and Jessica Andrade with the win over Godinez. The 31-year-old was happy with her performance as well as her evolution. She thinks there’s room for improvement, but she also that she’s moving in the right direction.

“I feel amazing, and of course, it’s always good to be back in the win column,” Dern said. “Loopy, she’s such a tough girl, and I knew it was going to be a good fight. I got better in a lot of things that I wanted to. Of course, there’s so much that I wish I did better, but it feels great.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.