Overview
- Dern, who won the vacant title over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 in October, says Zhang is a “really, really strong” candidate for her first defense.
- She says negotiations are ongoing and indicates a likely return in May or June, with no bout officially scheduled.
- Zhang vacated the 115-pound belt to move to flyweight in October and lost to Valentina Shevchenko in November, with her next move not yet announced.
- Dern insists she does not need to fight Zhang to validate her reign but acknowledges the matchup could reassure skeptics.
- Zhang is widely viewed among the division’s best ever with four successful defenses, heightening the significance of a potential meeting.