Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas planned for UFC event in October

Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLCOne of the UFC’s top strawweight prospects is slated to fight in the Octagon for the first time this year.

ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported on Monday that verbal agreements are in for decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas to face off at UFC on ESPN+ 19 in October. No venue has been confirmed for that event, as of yet.

Dern (7-0) made her UFC debut last year, winning a split decision against Ashley Yoder at UFC 222. In her most recent appearance, she dropped Amanda Bobby Cooper with a punch and quickly secured a fight-ending rear-naked choke. It should be noted that Dern missed weight by nearly an entire weight class,…