Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Cooper planned for UFC 224

Right after winning her Octagon debut against Ashley Yoder at UFC 222 three weeks ago,Mackenzie Dern expressed her intentions to be part of the upcoming UFC 224 card in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And based on recent reports, it looks like she will be getting her wish.

According to an initial report by MMABrasil.com, the multiple-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion and former Invicta fighter will be facing Amanda Cooper (3-3) for her second UFC fight. The news was later confirmed by MMAjunkie.

The 24-year-old Dern (6-0, with three wins by stoppage) put on a decent enough performance in her fight against Yoder, where she picked up a split decision verdict. And while she garnered some criticism for her stand-up game that night, her striking coach was still impressed by what she showed on the feet.

Cooper, on the other hand, is currently 2-2 in the UFC but is coming off a second-round TKO win against Angela Magana at UFC 218 last December. She was a finalist on season 23 of The Ultimate Fighter, eventually losing to Tatiana Suarez. All of Cooper’s defeats have been by submission.

UFC 224 is scheduled to take place on May 12^th. It will be headlined by the women’s bantamweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Raquel Pennington.