Mackenzie Dern is an American professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. She is a former world No 1 ranked IBJJF competitor and BJJ (black belt) World Champion. She is competing in the UFC women’s strawweight division and has a personal MMA record of 12-2-0 (W-L-D).
Mackenzie Dern was born on March 24, 1993, in Phoenix, Arizona, the United States. She is the daughter of Wellington “Megaton” Dias, a highly decorated grappling competitor himself. She began training by the age of three and practicing with her father.
Mackenzie Dern MMA career
Mackenzie Dern started her career in the Legacy Fighting Championship, showing her great MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques. She made her professional MMA debut on July 22, 2016, at the Legacy Fighting Championship 58 versus Kenia Rosas and won via unanimous decision.
On October 14, 2016, Mackenzie Dern fought versus Montana De La Rosa at the LFC 61. She won via rear-naked choke submission in Round 1.
On March 10, 2017, she won her fight versus Katherine Roy at the LFA 6 via unanimous decision.
On October 13, 2017, she registered another victory versus Mandy Polk at the LFA 24 via rear-naked choke submission in Round 1.
Following her great performance in the Legacy Fighting Championship, she signed with Invicta FC. Mackenzie Dern made her Invicta debut on December 8, 2017, at Invicta FC 26 against Kaline Medeiros. She won the fight via an armbar submission in round three.
Mackenzie Dern UFC career
Amid her unbeaten series of 5 consecutive wins in the professional MMA, Mackenzie Dern signed with the UFC. She made her UFC debut on March 3, 2018, versus Ashley Yoder at the UFC 222 – Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya. She won the fight via split decision.
On May 12, 2018, she faced Amanda Bobby Brundage at the UFC 224 – Nunes vs. Pennington, winning via rear-naked choke submission in Round 1.
On October 12, 2019, Mackenzie Dern registered her first professional MMA loss from another Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Amanda Ribas at the UFC Fight Night 161 – Jedrzejczyk vs. Waterson. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.
On May 30, 2020, Mackenzie Dern faced Hannah Cifers at the UFC on ESPN 9 – Woodley vs. Burns. She won the fight via kneebar submission in the first round.
On September 19., 2020, she achieved another victory at the UFCC versus Randa Markos at the UFC Fight Night 178 – Covington vs. Woodley, winning the fight via armbar submission in Round 1.
On December 12, 2020, Mackenzie Dern fought versus Virna Jandiroba at the UFC 256 – Figueiredo vs. Moreno. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
On April 10, 2021, she won versus Nina Nunes at the UFC on ABC 2 – Vettori vs. Holland, via armbar submission in the first round.
On October 9, 2021, Mackenzie Dern registered her second loss in the professional MMA. She faced Marina Rodriguez at the main event of the UFC Fight Night 194 – Dern vs. Rodriguez, but lost via unanimous decision.
On April 9, 2022, Mackenzie Dern won her fight versus Tecia Torres at the UFC 273 via split decision.