UFC Vegas 101: Dern vs. Ribas Rematch Set as Two Fighters Miss Weight

LAS VEGAS – UFC Vegas 101 is set to proceed on Saturday, January 11, at the UFC Apex, despite two fighters missing weight for their respective bouts. The main event features a highly anticipated rematch between women’s strawweight contenders Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas, both of whom successfully made weight. However, prelim fighters Jose Johnson and Ihor Potieria faced penalties for failing to meet their weight requirements.

Johnson, competing at flyweight, missed the mark by 2.5 pounds and will forfeit 20 percent of his purse to opponent Felipe Bunes. Potieria, fighting at middleweight, was two pounds over the limit and will surrender 25 percent of his purse to Marco Tulio. Both bouts will proceed as catchweight fights.

The main card, airing on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET, includes the Dern-Ribas rematch and a welterweight co-feature between Carlston Harris and Santiago Ponzinibbio. Dern (15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) and Ribas (12-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) previously clashed in 2021, with Ribas securing a unanimous decision victory. This rematch carries significant stakes for both fighters as they aim to climb the strawweight rankings.

For Johnson and Potieria, the weight misses add pressure to their already precarious UFC careers. Johnson, a former bantamweight, is struggling to adapt to the flyweight division, while Potieria has lost four of his last five fights and now faces a must-win scenario against Tulio. UFC President Dana White has historically been unforgiving of fighters who miss weight, especially when coupled with poor performances.

The preliminary card, also on ESPN+, begins at 4 p.m. ET. Fans can follow live updates and analysis on MMA Junkie‘s event hub.