UFC Tampa live blog: Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas

This is the UFC Tampa live blog for Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas, a strawweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Dern, who is 7-0 in MMA, faces Ribas, who has won two straight, on the main card.

Check out the UFC Tampa live blog below.

Round 1: Dern and Ribas gauge distance with their jabs. Dern doubles up with a right cross, but gets tagged with the same in the next skirmish. She recovers and presses forward nonetheless. Ribas is starting to connect more frequently, timing counters. Another big right for Ribas, and Dern is pushed back. The right hand counter is there with Dern overextending on her punches. Low kick makes Dern take a knee. She whiffs on the next combo. Ribas is lighting her up on the counter, and she shoots for the takedown. It’s a brief stay on the mat, and Ribas makes her pay with a spinning back kick. Dern whiffs on another overhand right. Combination short for Ribas. The next one is good, and Ribas is on the offensive. Dern tries a takedown, and she gets hip tossed to the mat. In guard, Dern has a triangle setup, then attacks an arm. Ribas staying in tight to prevent extension. Dern heels the legs and punches. Ribas tries to posture up and is controlled.

MMAFighting scores the first round 10-9 Ribas.

Round 2: Dern presses forward, and she goes right for the takedown. Ribas sees it coming and sprawls, avoiding the trip on the escape. Dern gets up and pursues her. She runs right into a flurry of punches and backs off. Big inside low kick to right hand for Ribas. Undeterred, Dern keeps pressing in, but she’s getting tagged while she winds up. Ribas a much more technical striker. Dern again dives for the takedown and pays for it with a punch to the face. Ribas chases her off and resets. On the feet, Dern is outmatched in the pocket. Another spin kick from Ribas, and Dern resets. Nice counter from Ribas in the pocket. And a jab snaps back Dern’s head. Dern grabs for the single again and Ribas turns into guard when her head and arm attempt nearly puts Dern on her back. Dern barely gets time to work before Ribas is back to her feet. Dern still pressing the action, but a final chase from Ribas ends with her taking a big right hand.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 for Ribas, who’s up 20-18.

Round 3: Dern comes out aggressively and gets swept off her feet by a low kick. Ribas doesn’t engage on the ground, preferring to stand and strike. Dern chases her and unloads a high kick, which is met by a three-piece combo. She dives for a single leg and winds up on her back, taking big shots before Ribas disengages. Options looking increasingly limited for Dern, who’s getting outclassed. Ribas dancing around, avoiding Dern’s haymakers and coming back with straight punches. Midway point of the round. Dern again reaches for a leg and misses. Ribas nails her with a straight right. A steady drumbeat of jabs from Ribas, and then a sudden explosion into range, where she lands another combo. Dern keeps coming, and keeps eating those jabs. Dern again grabs for a leg and misses again. Ribas chasing for the finish, and Dern is on her bicycle. One final chase to the fence, and that’s it.

MMAFighting scores the final frame 10-9 for Ribas, who gets the 30-27 shutout.

Official result: Amanda Ribas def. Mackenzie Dern via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)