UFC 321 matchmaker

Mackenzie Dern began a new era in the women's strawweight division at UFC 321 when she beat Virna Jandiroba to claim the vacant belt.

After Zhang Weili moved up to flyweight to challenge for a belt in a second division, Dern (16-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) seized the opportunity with a unanimous decision victory over Jandiroba (22-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in the co-headliner at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Dern has some work to do to get the division out of the shadow of Zhang, especially if she does not return to the weight class after her UFC 322 title shot vs. Valentina Shevchenko.

What should be next for the new 115-pound champ in her first defense? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Dern's future after UFC 321.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Mackenzie Dern after UFC 321 title win?

Reporting by Mike Bohn and Abbey Subhan, MMA Junkie / MMA Junkie

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