Mackenzie Dern - The Scintillating MMA Superstar!

1. Mackenzie Dern’s Details

2. Mackenzie Dern’s Biography

“People think if it never happened before, it can’t be done. But you just need to be the first person to do it.”
(Mackenzie Dern)

Dern is the most accomplished female BJJ grappler, the best MMA fighter of the generation, and a mother. She remained undefeated before she took a short break to give birth to her daughter and enjoy the blessings of motherhood.

For many, this break was the end of Dern’s soaring MMA career. Making a strong comeback to the “cage” after pregnancy was unheard of. These assumptions were cemented when she lost her first post-hiatus fight. Headstrong and a firm believer, Dern strived harder and stunned everyone by winning the next two fights. In the process, she reclaimed the title of “champion” and matured as an athlete.

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2.1 - Mackenzie Dern’s Early Life & Amateur Fighting

The MMA Star of Phoenix, Arizona

On March 24, 1993, Wellington “Megaton” Dias - one of the top BJJ black belts in the world - was blessed with a daughter - Mackenzie Dern. Just like her father, the little girl was destined to become the most-inspiring MMA success story.

Dern’s Love for Portuguese

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, young Dern traveled frequently back and forth to Brazil. These trips to Brazil helped her to become fluent in Portuguese. Dern has shared that Portuguese has become her primary tongue. She further explained her love for the language by stating, “I think in Portuguese, anything to do with the fight is in Portuguese in my mind.”

BJJ at the Age of Three

Unlike other children, Dern used to accompany her Brazilian father to work. Her BJJ career began with observing her father train and teach at his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. She started training in the “gentle art” at the age of three and competed in her first tournament at the age of six.

Ascent to Adult Division

Dern’s lengthy experience gave her an edge over other grapplers her age and she dominated the kids’ grappling competitions. Along with jiu-jitsu, Dern also competed in judo competitions to learn techniques used in other combat styles and incorporate them into her BJJ training sessions. At the age of 14, Dern shifted all her focus toward Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and began competing in the adult divisions. Now a professional grappler, her career was on an upward trajectory.

2.2. Mackenzie Dern’s Pro BJJ Combat

Photo credit: mmamania

Black Belt as a Teen

Under the influence and training of her father, Wellington Dias and Leticia Ribeiro, Dern reached her full athletic potential. She won world championships in every belt level and quickly ascended to the black belt level in 2012 - before her 20th birthday.

Zenith of BJJ Career

In January 2013, Mackenzie Dern fought her first fight as a black belt. The super-fight against Luiza Monteiro at the Copa Podio was a massive win for Dern. Dern was a novice at the black belt level while Monteiro had more experience. However, Dern scored a decisive victory with a point record of 8x2.

A few weeks later, another opportunity presented itself in the form of the European Open Championship. Dern won in her weight division and secured her name on the list as one of the world’s best featherweight fighters.

Living the BJJ Dream & Cage Fighting

One achievement led to another as, by the age of 21, Mackenzie Dern had accomplished her dream of winning five BJJ world championships. During this time, Ronda Rousey broke through the glass ceiling and became a successful UFC fighter. This opened floodgates of opportunity for female martial artists like Dern. Rousey’s success had proved that it was possible to earn a decent living out of “UFC fights.” This development gave way to Dern’s transition to cage fighting.

2.3. Mackenzie Dern’s Pro-MMA Combat

Photo credit: twitter

Preparing for Cage Fighting

Dern already had a strong foundation. Her fighting skill-set was razor-sharp. She only needed to work on her punches to become successful in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). After she quickly got the hang of it, there was no stopping Dern after that.

UFC Debut

Dern made her UFC debut against Ashley Yoder at UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The strawweight bout was a tough nut to crack for Mackenzie Dern who was barely surviving at the start of the match. Eventually, the score was 29-28 points with Dern in the lead against Yoder. In the final two minutes of the contest, a takedown and submission allowed Mackenzie Dern to win via split decision. 

Fan Reaction to Motherhood

After winning two UFC fights, Mackenzie Dern got pregnant. The bliss of pregnancy was short-lived as she lost 50,000 followers on Instagram after breaking the big news in February 2019.

Dern commented on this in her interview with Women’s Health Magazine:

“The assumption is that if you get pregnant you are not coming back. If you do, you will be soft inside.”

Fans hold monetary importance and losing them can have a negative impact on a fighter's career. Fortunately, Mackenzie Dern’s real fans stayed true in their love and support, allowing her to make a stronger comeback and regain the lost 50,000 followers and more.

Maternal Hiatus & Return

Mackenize Dern stopped all training schedules during her pregnancy, relishing the idea of becoming a mother and a would-be growing family. Dern returned to the mats four months after she welcomed her daughter, Moa, into the world.

The return was unnerving for Dern and lost her first fight back as a result. She was undefeated before that. Moreover, sponsors were beginning to lose trust and interest in Dern's talent. According to them, Dern was no longer a profitable deal.

Against all odds, Mackenzie Dern did what she did best. She fought, relentlessly. One defeat didn’t discourage her at all. Two consecutive wins were all it took to prove the doubters wrong. Their doubt pushed Dern to become the fighter she is today!

Professional MMA with Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA)

In 2016, Mackenzie Dern fought her mixed martial arts debut match against Kenia Rosas at Legacy FC 58, winning by a unanimous decision.

Her second fight was against Montana De La Rosa at Legacy FC 61. Initially, the match was scheduled at strawweight but Dern missed the weight requirement by 2.8 lbs. Consequently, the weight division was changed to catchweight and Dern conquered the first round by submission.

Her third opponent was Katherine Roy at LFA 6. For the second time, Mackenzie Dern missed the weight requirement by four lbs but won by unanimous decision.

Dern climbed up the weight class ladder for her next fight. She competed in the flyweight division against Mandy Pol at LFS 24 and quickly undid Polk’s strategy with a powerful rear-naked choke.

Move to Invicta Fighting Championship

In 2017, with an unblemished four-win record, Dern signed a contract with Invicta Fighting Championship. In December 2017, she fought her Invicta debut fight against Kaline Medeiros at Invicta FC 26: Maia vs Neidzwiedz. The fight ended in Dern’s victory via an armbar.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC Goals)

Photo credit: empiresportsmedia

In 2018, Dern fought her UFC debut against Ashley Yoder at UFC 222 and claimed victory by a split decision.

She then proceeded to confront Amanda Cooper at UFC 224. Dern missed the Strawweight Division’s weight requirement by 7 lbs. The bout took place in the Catchweight Division and Dern had to forfeit 30% of her purse. Dern successfully subdued Cooper in the first round via rear-naked choke.

The First UFC Defeat

In 2019, the undefeated Dern lost a bout for the first time to Amanda Ribas at UFC on ESPN+ 19. Ribas won via unanimous decision.

Making UFC History

Photo credit: espn

In April 2020, Dern was ready to fight Hannah Cifers; however, the event was postponed and rescheduled for May 2020. The match took place at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs Burns, with Dern winning the match with a kneebar.

Dern made history by becoming the first woman to end a UFC fight in any form of leg lock. The kneebar also earned her the first “Performance of the Night” award.

Continuation of UFC Journey

In September 2020, Mackenzie Dern - an MMA fighter - subdued Randa Markos in the first round at UFC Fight Night 178. After the fight ended, Dern received her second “Performance of the Night” award.

The next fight took place against Virna Jandiroba in December 2020 at UFC 256. Dern triumphed in the bout via a decision win.

In 2021, Mackenize Dern faced Nina Nunes at the UFC on ABC 2. She concluded the match in the first round via a calculated armbar and won her third “Performance of the Night” award.

An Award After Defeat

In October 2021, Dern lost at UFC Fight Night 194 to Marina Rodriguez via unanimous decision. It was a tough match but Dern received the “Fight of the Night” award for showcasing exceptional fighting prowess.

The Most Anticipated UFC Event, 2022

Mackenzie Dern vs. Tecia Torres, the most anticipated match at the UFC took place in April 2022 at UFC 273.

2.4. Mackenzie Dern’s Historic Fights

Mackenzie Dern vs Gabi Garcia

The fight marked a remarkable achievement for Mackenzie Dern. Dern stunned the world by defeating Gabi Garcia, the IBJJF Hall of Famer, who weighed in for this match at over 200 pounds.

Mackenzie Dern vs Amanda Cooper

In 2018, Mackenzie Dern had a perfect UFC 6-0 record and was confident she would win as she entered the UFC 224 Octagon. Dern was carrying an extra eight and a half pounds. This added weight gave her a disadvantage but she managed to beat the much-lighter Amanda Cooper via submission in the first round.

Mackenzie Dern vs Michelle Nicolini

In 2016, Mackenzie Dern faced the legendary Michelle Nicolini at the IBJJF World Championship Finals. She defeated her opponent in a thrilling fashion and won the tournament.

After the match ended, Mackenzie earned the gold medal and topped the IBJJF rankings for a full season.

2.5. Mackenzie Dern’s Championships and Accomplishments

3. Mackenzie Dern’s Main Achievements

• She is the only female jiu-jitsu fighter to have won gold medals in the five major IBJJF Gi tournaments.
• She is one of the few grapplers who defeated the much-heavier Gabi Garcia.
• One-time IBJJF World Champion.

Year	Weight Class
2015	59 kg

• Two-time IBJJF World No-Gi Champion.

Year	Weight Class
2014	55.5 kg
2015	Absolute

• Two-time IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Champion.

Year	Weight Class
2015	59 kg
2016	59 kg

• Two-time Brazilian National Champion.

Year	Weight Class
2014, 2015	58 kg

• Three-time European Open Champion.

Year	Weight Class
2013	58 kg
2016	58 kg
2017	58 kg

• Six-time Asian Open Champion.

Year	Weight Class
2014	58 kg, Absolute
2015	58 kg, Absolute
2016	64 kg, Absolute

• One-time ADCC World Champion.

Year	Weight Class
2015	60 kg

• Three-time Abu Dhabi World Cup Champion.

Year	Weight Class
2015	55 kg, Absolute
2016	55 kg

4. Mackenzie Dern’s Main Achievements (Belts)

4.1. Black

4.2. Colored

IBJJF Pan American

5. Mackenzie Dern's Main Achievements (MMA)

• She won the UFC Performance of the Night award three times.

• She won the UFC Fight of the Night award once.

• Mackenzie Dern holds the record for most submission wins in the Strawweight division.
• Mackenzie Dern holds the record of second-most submission wins in the UFC (female category).

Worldwide MMA Rankings

Rank	Title
6th	Current Best Female Strawweight
18th	Current Best Pound for Pound Female MMA Fighter

6. Mackenzie Dern's BJJ Professional Record Breakdown

6.1. Submission Methods W/L

7. Mackenzie Dern’s BJJ Fight History

8. Mackenzie Dern’s MMA Professional Record Breakdown

8.1. Submission Methods W/L

9. Mackenzie Dern’s MMA Fight History

10. Mackenzie Dern’s Top Fights (Video Links)