Tatiana Suarez’s push for the next shot at Mackenzie Dern after her recent win may have come to a quick end.

Having beaten Virna Jandiroba at UFC Vegas 124 this past Saturday to make it three wins in a row since her loss to Zhang Weili, Suarez called for another opportunity.

The women’s strawweight title is currently occupied by Dern, who beat Jandiroba to succeed Weili on the throne before making her first successful defense at UFC 330 in August.

Rather than Suarez, the first shot at Dern in 2027 will reportedly go to a lower-ranked contender.

How does Mackenzie Dern vs. Zhang Weili play out?

Mackenzie Dern vs Denise Gomes UFC title fight reportedly in the works for March 2027

Dern beat Gillian Robertson at UFC 330 in a clash of the top two submission artists on the women’s roster.

If a recent report is accurate, the champion will be facing a different kind of challenge in the first quarter of 2027.

Per Laerte Viana, the plan is for Dern to begin her campaign for the new year against Denise Gomes at a yet-to-be-announced event in March.

The Brazilian contender is currently sitting at No. 4 in the Meta UFC women’s strawweight rankings, having won five straight fights since a decision loss to Angela Hill in 2023. She has eight knockouts in 13 professional wins but zero submissions.

Most recently, at UFC Shanghai in August, Gomes knocked out ex-title challenger Yan Xiaonan, a woman who defeated the current champ just over four years ago.

Michael Chiesa was on commentary for the card in China and called for Gomes to be given her maiden championship opportunity following that devastating KO, an opinion evidently shared by the promotion.

The report will come as disappointing news for Suarez, who suggested that the winner of her latest fight would be the best option days before having her hand raised.

“Yeah, absolutely, (whoever wins should get a title shot) because we’re at the top of the division other than Weili,” Suarez said at UFC Vegas 124 media day.

“I just feel like it makes sense that we’re gonna be next in line for the belt.”