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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Simon Samano and Mike Bohn

Manager thinks Mackenzie Dern vs. Yan Xiaonan ‘very close’ to UFC strawweight title eliminator

Mackenzie Dern Yan Xiaonan UFC Marina Rodriguez Carla Esparza Tim Simpson Rose Namajunas MMA Junkie UFC 280

When the calendar turns to October, Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xiaonan will set off an important trio of upcoming fights in the UFC strawweight division.

Dern (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), who is No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings at 115 pounds, and No. 9 Xiaonan (15-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will headline UFC Fight Night 211 on Oct. 1 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Dern and Xiaonan are Nos. 5 and 6 in the official UFC rankings, which underscores the significance of their matchup.

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