LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 03: A general view of the Octagon prior to the UFC Fight Night event at … [+] UFC APEX on February 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The UFC is finally back.
After a three-week absence at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, the No. 1 MMA promotion in the world is back in the swing of things on Saturday, January 11, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET, and the main card starts at 7 p.m.
In the main event, No. 8 women’s strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern will seek to even the score with No. 9 contender Amanda Ribas. Dern lost a unanimous decision to Ribas in 2019.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 10: (L-R) Opponents Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas of Brazil face off … [+] during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino on January 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Both women would love to make a move up the strawweight ladder, so Saturday’s spot-check fight is wildly important. Also, because of the UFC’s absence, there may be a few more eyes on this main event as much of the MMA community is starving for a new event.
The weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 101 took place on Friday. All of the fights remain intact, though two fighters (Ihor Potieria and Jose Johnson) missed weight. Their opponents will receive a percentage of their purse, but both fights will go on as scheduled at a catchweight.
Here is a look at the finalized card along with the weigh-in results:
- Mackenzie Dern (116) vs. Amanda Ribas (116)
- Santiago Ponzinibbio (171) vs. Carlston Harris (170)
- Abdul Razak Alhassan (185.5) vs. Cesar Almeida (185.5)
- Chris Curtis (185.5) vs. Roman Kopylov (185.5)
- Christian Rodriguez (145) vs. Austin Bashi (145.5)
- Uros Medic (171) vs. Punahele Soriano (171)
- Jose Johnson (128.5)* vs. Felipe Bunes (126)
- Marco Tulio (185.5) vs. Ihor Potieria (188)*
- Thiago Moises (155.5) vs. Trey Ogden (155.5)
- Preston Parsons (171) vs. Jacobe Smith (170.5)
- Ernesta Kareckaite (126) vs. Nicolle Caliari (125.5)
- Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (205) vs. Bruno Lopes (205.5)
- Fatima Kline (116) vs. Viktoriia Dudakova (116)
- Nurullo Aliev (155.5) vs. Joe Solecki (155)
- (*Missed weight)
In addition to the main event, there are two other fights that should pique MMA fan interest. Jacobe Smith is a world-class wrestler who has made the transition to MMA. Smith was a standout from Season 8 of the Dana White Contender Series.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 10: Jacobe Smith poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in … [+] at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino on January 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Smith, 28, is making his main roster debut, and he projects as someone who could make some noise in the welterweight division over the next two or three years. Saturday night could be the second-level launchpad for him.
The same can be said for the uber-talented Austin Bashi.
Like Smith, Bashi is an undefeated standout from the most recent season of DWCS. Bashi is just 23 years old, and he’s making his main roster debut in an even higher spot on the first card of 2025.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 10: Austin Bashi poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in … [+] at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino on January 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Bashi is drawing a tough assignment in Christian Rodriguez, but that is an indication of how highly the UFC matchmakers think of the Michigan native.
Also on the main card, the Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cesar Almeida fight has all the potential to produce a crazy KO finish. Alhassan is a KO artist with some flaws in his defense, but unmistakable power and explosion.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 10: (L-R) Opponents Cesar Almeida of Brazil and Abdul Razak Alhassan of … [+] Ghana face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino on January 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Almeida is still relatively new to MMA with just seven professional fights, but he is an accomplished kickboxer who owns a victory over Alex Pereira in that sport.
The card isn’t star-studded, but there are some intriguing fights. Stay tuned for post-event coverage.
