Update: The UFC still hasn’t announced the change, but it is already visible on the UFC 298 page and the fighters’ profiles.
Mackenzie Dern is reportedly stepping in to replace Tatiana Suarez, giving Amanda Lemos a new opponent at UFC 298, which will be held on February 17 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The Suarez vs. Lemos strawweight fight is currently listed at the top of the preliminary card of the event, but the replacement is not expected to make any change in the bout’s spot on the card.
If true, Dern will be facing a tough opponent in Lemos. Despite coming from a loss given by division champ Zhang Weili, the No. 4-ranked fighter is one of the best in the class weight. Prior to her recent loss, the 36-year-old UFC veteran had a five-fight winning streak, which was snapped by Andrade in April 2022. Lemos, nonetheless, bounced back and won another two bouts before fighting Zhang.
Dern might appear as an underdog in the bout after her recent loss to Andrade via KO at UFC 295 last November. Prior to this, the female fighter also experienced an alternating win-loss record after losing to Marina Rodriguez in October 2021.
The promotion still hasn’t confirmed the change, but a post from OC Register on X this Tuesday states that it will be the case next month. Additionally, a report claims the matter has already been corroborated by a UFC official. Suarez reportedly withdrew due to an injury.
