Expert Picks UFCV101 | HOF

UFC Vegas 101: Dern vs Ribas 2

UFC Vegas 101, taking place this Saturday, January 11th, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, features an exciting main card headlined by a rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas in the strawweight division. Their first encounter in 2019 saw Ribas emerge victorious, but Dern’s evolution as a fighter makes this matchup intriguing. Dern, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with a record of 14-5, aims to leverage her grappling prowess against Ribas, who holds a 13-5 record and is known for her striking and resilience.

The co-main event showcases Santiago Ponzinibbio against Carlston Harris in a welterweight clash. Ponzinibbio, a seasoned veteran with knockout power, will look to assert his dominance against the up-and-coming Harris.

Additionally, two middleweight bouts feature Chris Curtis facing Roman Kopylov, and Cesar Almeida taking on Abdul Razak Alhassan, both promising action-packed exchanges. The card is rounded out by featherweights Christian Rodriguez and Austin Bashi, setting the stage for a thrilling night of fights that fans won’t want to miss.

As the UFC looks to kick things off the right way the Home of Fight experts will be looking to do the same. Let’s take a look at who the experts are taking this weekend!

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas

  • Matty Betss – Mackenzie Dern

“One thing I’ll say, since Mackenzie Dern got knocked out by Jessica Andrade. I think she’s improved her striking. I think she’s a live dog here. I look at this fight as a 50-50 matchup, and I think the value is on the betting underdog.”

  • HayJive – Amanda Ribas

“Dern has made some improvements since the first matchup, but is it enough to overcome? And can she do it for 5 rounds? I lean towards no. Ribas cardio is great, she should look better as the fight goes on and either get a late finish or a decision win.”

  • Nolan (TheParlay) – Amanda Ribas

This is a rematch where Ribas dominated the fight. Both have gotten better, but Ribas still posses more skills and the ability to win the fight anywhere it goes.”

  • JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Mackenzie Dern

Dern is worth a hit at these odds, though not with a lot of conviction. Her striking has massively improved since their first fight and on the ground, the danger persists itself. We have seen her take down Ribas and we can see Ribas being taken down.”

  • Austin Swaim – Mackenzie Dern

“This is likely a gritty fight between two inconsistent fighters, but I’m showing value on Dern in a fight closer to a pick ‘em. Her submission danger is also still likely the most decisive edge in the fight.”

  • The Fight Analyst – Mackenzie Dern

“While Amanda Ribas did beat Mackenzie Dern earlier in their careers, that was before Dern progressed as a striker. I thoroughly expect this fight to play out a lot closer on the feet this go around as Dern comes in and squeaks out a close decision.”

Photo | MMA Junkie

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Carlston Harris

  • Matty Betss – Carlston Harris

“Carlson Harris, pretty good grappler, got good submissions. He has some good wins. The only two losses in the USC are against two very dangerous finishers. I like Carlson Harris here as an underdog, and I’m a fan of Ponzinibbio, but I just think he’s towards the tail end of his career, coming off of two straight losses. I think this is a good bounce-back opportunity. Carlson can hang in there and maybe win a decision or even find his back.”

  • HayJive – Santiago Ponzinibbio

Harris needs to find some grappling success here or it’s going to be a 50-50 fight on the feet. I guess I’ll take Ponzinibbio, but I hate this fight.”

  • Nolan (TheParlay) – Santiago Ponzinibbio

Harris is lower volume and can submit guys when they make mistakes. However, Ponz should keep it standing where he’s got more volume, power, and skills.”

  • JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Carlston Harris

Harris has only lost twice inside the UFC and for me, he’s been more active, than Ponzi who has been feeling the damage more of as of recently.”

  • Austin Swaim – Carlston Harris

Was surprised to model this higher than his sub, but I’ve got him a -115 fav as the younger fighter with less attrition, and he’s lost to extremely high level competition. Ponzi’s chin has been found before.”

  • The Fight Analyst – Santiago Ponzinibbio 

“Many would think Carlston Harris was a lot younger than Santiago Ponzinibbio but he’s just a year younger. Ponzinibbio is the much better striker in this fight and has the defensive wrestling to keep this fight in his wheelhouse and finally get back into the win column after a string of badly judged split decisions.”

Photo | MMA Junkie

Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cesar Almeida

  • Matty Betss – Cesar Almeida

“I know Alhassan is accustomed to knocking people out, but Cesar Almeida is a different level in my opinion. If he doesn’t try to get takedowns and he just comes out and strikes, I think he’s going to get countered. I think that Cesar Almeida is going to be on the back foot, wait for him to overcommit and find the counter. “

  • HayJive – Cesar Almeida

If Alhassan has any brain he would look to get this fight to the ground. Will he? Likely not, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a chance. Either way he’ll be a little behind in the striking and probably lose a decision to Almeida.”

  • Nolan (TheParlay) – Cesar Almeida

Al Hassan will he dangerous early, but without a knockout he will need to implement the judo which should cause him to gas out. From there, Almeida should pick him apart and land far more damage.”

  • JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Cesar Almeida

This is a favorable matchup for Almeida. An older striker who is open for counter-strikes and will leave openings for Almeida.”

  • Austin Swaim – Abdul Razak Alhassan

Almeida’s 57% takedown D is alarming when we’ve never seen him on bottom for long, and Razak Alhassan’s history of wrestling and massive power could quickly turn the tide of this fight if he gets top position.”

  • The Fight Analyst – Cesar Almeida

“The UFC knows what they are doing giving Cesar Almeida fighters who are allergic to grappling and the trend remains the same here as Almeida should go in there keep this fight on the feet and outstrike Abdul Razak Alhassan with ease.”

Photo | MMA Junkie

Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov

  • Matty Betss – Roman Kopylov

“I like Chris Curtis, but I fear that he’s too one-dimensional with his boxing here i think Kopylov can stick and move, use the kicks. I don’t think either guy is really going to shoot takedowns. I think Curtis is going to try to close the distance but not be able to do so. I’m gonna pick Roman Kapilov.”

  • HayJive – Roman Kopylov

“This is a great matchup that I could see coming down to a close split decision if it makes it all 15 minutes. Curtis will take over later in the fight, but I think Kopylov will do enough within the first 10 mins to get his hand raised.”

  • Nolan (TheParlay) – Chris Curtis

“Kopylov is an amazing striker, but has cardio issues that hurt him deep in fights. Kopylov relied on wrestling in his last win and was gassed, and Chris Curtis has great takedown defense. Chris will win if he survives round 1 and turns up the pace in 2/3.” 

  • JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Roman Kopylov

“Curtis did exceptionally well against Allen, however Koplyov is the worst matchup for a guy like Curtis. Can strike from a range, pick him apart, and stuff all of Curtis’s takedowns. Curtis is durable enough not to get KO’d but I see him losing by decision.”

  • Austin Swaim – Roman Kopylov

Curtis is 37 and coming off a major injury, and Kopylov has dropped 5 of his 8 UFC opponents. I tend to trust Roman’s speed and accuracy in bouts at distance.”

  • The Fight Analyst – Roman Kopylov

“This fight should be a closely contested striking affair but Chris Curtis not mixing up his attacks will be at his demise when Roman Kopylov will be able to utilize his kicks to stay out of the boxing range and pick apart Curtis for the decision victory.”

Photo | MMA Junkie

Austin Bashi vs. Christian Rodriguez

  • Matty Betss – Austin Bashi

“Well, Christian Rodriguez is known for taking the zero from his opponents. Not fraud checking, but, stopping these up-and-coming prospects. If he wins this fight as a 2-1 dog, the UFC needs to put some respect on the dog’s name right here. However, I like Christian Rodriguez in general, but I’ve watched footage on Bashi, and this dude looks for real making this a tough matchup for Rodriguez.”

  • HayJive – Austin Bashi

The UFC has now made C Rod the gate keeper to the prospects. I think Bashi has enough cardio  and wrestling to win this one.”

  • Nolan (TheParlay) – Christian Rodriguez

Rodriguez beats a lot of prospects, and Bashi fits the bill. Bashi will be a great fighter, but he hasn’t fought many great fighters and is making his debut which comes with a lot of nerves. Christian could win off damage in this spot.”

  • JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Austin Bashi

“Bashi is a PHYSICAL featherweight. C-Rod has been beating these prospects, however this is his weight-class and we saw what forward pressure and energy  can do to him in his last bout. Bashi has the gas tank for all three rounds, and his control on the ground is ABSURD.”

  • Austin Swaim – Austin Bashi

CRod should be 0-3 at featherweight, and his history of prospect upsets came as a 135-pound weight bully. I’m sooner expecting him poor analytical takedown D to be his undoing against an elite prospect.”

  • The Fight Analyst – Austin Bashi

“People love to bet Christian Rodriguez as the dog against top prospects but that is will end this weekend when he takes on Austin Bashi who should be able to suffocate Rodriguez with his grappling to control the majority of this fight and get his first win inside the octagon.” 

Photo | MMA Junkie

Uros Medic vs. Punahele Soriano

  • HayJive – Uros Medic

Puna can give himself a good chance to win this one with a wrestle heavy gameplan, but realistically I see Medic being the faster and better striker leading to a knockout.”

  • JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Uros Medic

Medic is the DARK HORSE of the welterweight division. Soriano is a great athlete but leaves too many openings for a dangerous guy like Medic who can be precise with his striking while bringing the volume.”

  • Nolan (The Parlay) – Punahele Soriano.

“Medic has been good with the striking and has power, but he’s extremely susceptible to the wrestling. Puna has a great team who will have the right gameplan, and Puna being at 170 now might have forced him to get into top shape.”

  • Austin Swaim – Uros Medic

There’s an argument that Soriano’s wrestling-heavy debut at 170 gives him a path here, but I’ve got to trust The Doctor’s 100% KO rate in UFC and elite power metrics. Soriano hasn’t shown the sub offense responsible for Medic’s two UFC setbacks.”

  • The Fight Analyst – Uros Medic

“I was leaning toward Punahele Soriano in this fight mainly because he’s finally fighting in his right weight class and has the wrestling advantage but the power and technical striking abilities of Uros Medic have me swayed as he should keep his knockout streak alive this weekend by putting away Soriano.”

Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!