UFC: Marina Rodriguez warns Joanna Jedrzejczyk; down to fight Mackenzie Dern but wants full camp
- Brazilian rejects offer for quick turnaround against Dern, with September or October the target date for return
- ‘[Jedrzejczyk] knows one day we’re going to meet each other in the cage … whether it’s for the belt or a contender fight,’ Rodriguez says
Marina Rodriguez is determined to do things her way after saving the day by stepping in to take on Michelle Waterson in the UFC Vegas 26 main event.
A dominant unanimous decision for No 5-ranked strawweight Rodriguez (14-1-2) last month has set her up for another big spot, and the 34-year-old Brazilian already has an idea who might be next – it’s just a matter of when.
“Right after the fight, the UFC told me they wanted me to fight in July,” Rodriguez told SCMP MMA. “I was insistent on only fighting in September or October but Dana [White] already made it clear the next fight to make is me against Mackenzie Dern and I’m totally up for that. I would love to fight her. [But] I need a complete fight camp.
“If they want to keep Mackenzie as my opponent, that’s great. If they want to change and put another opponent [in] that’s also fine. I’ve had enough short notice fights for the moment.”
