Yan Xiaonan vs. Mackenzie Dern full fight video highlights

Watch Yan Xiaonan vs. Mackenzie Dern full fight video highlights from the main event of UFC Vegas 61, courtesy of the UFC and other outlets.

UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan took place Oct. 1 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Strawweight contenders Mackenzie Dern (12-3) and Yan Xiaonan (16-3, 1 NC) faced off in a pivotal matchup in the night’s main event. ESPN+ aired the fight live.

Check out the highlights video below.

For more information on Dern vs. Yan check out Mike Heck’s live blog at MMA Fighting.

Round 1: Both women come out swinging big shots, Dern lands first. Kick to the body from Dern, partially caught by Yan, but Dern gets out of trouble — that is until she eats a combination. Yan hits Dern with a right-hand kick that comes in short of a high kick. Dern is already starting to feel the consequences. Yan’s left hand is used, but Dern manages to dodge the following shots.

Yan pushes the ball to the exact spot with a hard leg kick. Dern shoots in and they clinch against the fence at the halfway point of the round. Dern holding on to a single leg and Yan is desperately trying to defend. Yan manages to seperate and it’s huge. Body kick from Dern caught by Yan, who returns fire. Dern shoots again, tries to pull guard, but Yan avoids the danger. Final 45 seconds of the round and they trade shots before Dern grabs a hold of Yan again, gets a hip throw, but Yan ends up on top.

Dern works a single more and the horn sounds. Yan is a great underdog.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Yan

Round 2: Yan comes out with big shots early and Dern is being out struck in a big way. Dern shoots a not-so-great takedown attempt, Yan is now on top with an arm trapped, landing some thunderous left hands.

Dern is looking for a leg lock, but may use it as a transition to take the back of Yan. Dern executing an omoplata and Yan is in a little bit of trouble here with over two minutes to work. Dern is looking for an arm triangle but is now looking to transition to an arm and full-mount landing shots.

Yan is now under one minute.

Dern has taken the back. She’s dropping huge punches at Yan. Yan defending, and Dern looks for an armbar, then transitions to a triangle attempt, then around to the back again. Final 10 seconds and Yan survives. What a momentum swing.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 for Dern, 19-19 overall

Round 3: Leg kick from Yan immediately, another one as Dern tries to move forward. Dern continues to return with leg kicks, even as the number increases. Clinch knee from Yan lands flush, but Dern drops to her back to pull guard.

Yan is able to stand up and Dern hits Yan with a body jab. Yan is grazed by Dern’s right hand. Dern counters and lands a body kick. Yan’s movement has been really impressive in this one, but she’s backing towards the fence which could be dangerous. Yan still manages to score big hits, including one that left Dern wriggling.

In the final two minutes, Dern appears to be feeling better, and he takes a leg kick. Another Yan kick, but this one is caught by Dern who looks to turn it into a takedown. Yan defends, and then they return to striking exchanges — Yan clearly winning in almost every aspect. Under 40 seconds and Yan lands a clean right hand and a counter leg kick, Dern returns with one of her own, but Yan keeps crushing the lead leg.

With five seconds left,

Dern scores a takedown, then lands some short punches and the horn sound. Yan takes the lead.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 for Yan, 29-28 Yan overall

Round 4: We’ve arrived at the championship rounds, ladies and gentlemen, and Yan lands about eight clean shots all over Dern right away. Dern shoots a single and pushes Yan against the fence. Yan defends the fence with exceptional balance. Yan uses a big right hand to help Dern. Dern gets in close and lands a short uppercut, Yan comes up short on a nasty elbow, and Dern looks for another throw. This time, Yan is able to avoid the mat.

Yan responds with her own flurry, “Good mix from Dern.” Both women’s chins are under scrutiny. Two minutes left in the fourth and Yan goes back to work on the very red leg of Dern, before drilling Dern with a push kick to the body, and a side kick as well. Dern locks Yan up and Yan ends up on top.

Dern now in full guard with a minute to go and she needs to make something happen. Yan keeping in tight to avoid anything dangerous, but Dern looking to trap an arm, but doesn’t look like she’ll have enough time. Horn says Dern must finish the fifth round or else she will lose.

MMAFighting scores is 10-9, and the fight overall 39-37 for Yan

Round 5: Dern comes out swinging for the fences, and gets in tight to clinch Yan against the fence. Dern gets her down and in side control with over four minutes to go. Things are getting interesting.

Full mount for Dern and she’s looking for an armbar. Dern gives punches to open up the situation, taking over from Yan with both hooks in secure position and landing many big shots. Yan trying to escape this awful position, and she clears a hook, but just for a second. 2:10 left in the round.

Dern trying to find some sort of opening for a massive comeback win as she’s battering Yan, who is defending all submission attempts. Final minute.

Dern has a very close call to an armbar. Yan escapes with 10 seconds to go. WOW! Might have ourselves a draw.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-8 for Dern, 47-47 draw overall

Yan Xiaonan def. Mackenzie Dern via majority decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-47)