In a recent interview with Full Send MMA, Dern had suggested she might not have been prepared for Weili Zhang, leading to backlash from fans and observers. Speaking with Full Send MMA, she walked back those remarks, explaining her comments were taken out of context.
“I don’t think it necessarily like that I wouldn’t be able to rise up to the occasion,”
Dern explained.
“I don’t think that it was possible for me to beat her, you know? Of course, I think I believe in myself, you know, I believe in my jiu-jitsu. I think it would be a tougher (match)”
The confusion arose from Dern‘s practical assessment of facing Weili Zhang on short notice. She clarified that her concern wasn’t about capability, but about preparation time.
” I would just like to have time to study and train exactly for her, you know, which is up until now I just been trying to grow up the ranks,”
she said.
“Of course, I’m not going to say no to a title . And I will do all my—I would do all my training, and I would have—I would believe that I have what it takes to do it,”
Dern stated.
“But if you’re going to ask me like, ‘Hey, do you think you’re ready?’ I’m like, ‘Man, we’re going to have to make it work.'”
The strawweight contender pointed out that Jandiroba is no easy opponent either, currently riding the same five-match winning streak as Weili Zhang. Dern expressed confidence in the stylistic matchup, noting their previous encounter five years ago where she earned a decision victory despite suffering a broken nose.
Her honest assessment of the Weili Zhang situation ultimately reflects an MMA star being realistic about preparation rather than lacking confidence in her abilities.
