Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Lynne Dern is an American-Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) strawweight division. Recognized as one of the most decorated submission grapplers in combat sports, she transitioned from a dominant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career into professional mixed martial arts, earning widespread acclaim for her top-tier grappling ability, persistent submission attacks, and dynamic fighting style in the octagon.

Background and Jiu-Jitsu Excellence

Born on March 24, 1993, in Phoenix, Arizona, Dern grew up immersed in martial arts under the guidance of her father, Wellington "Megaton" Dias, a legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coral belt competitor. Splitting her childhood between the United States and Brazil, she became fluent in both English and Portuguese. She began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at a very young age and quickly established herself as a prodigy, reaching the rank of black belt in 2012. Before making her mixed martial arts debut, Dern achieved world championships across multiple belt levels and became the World Jiu-Jitsu Champion, ADCC Champion, and World No-Gi Champion, defeating high-profile competitors across various weight classes.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Dern made her professional mixed martial arts debut in 2016, quickly racking up consecutive victories in regional promotions such as Legacy Fighting Alliance and Invicta FC. Her elite submission skills facilitated a seamless transition into the UFC, where she made her promotional debut in March 2018. Over her tenure in the strawweight division, Dern has earned multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night honors, establishing herself as a top contender with key victories over elite opposition like Angela Hill and Tecia Torres. Her aggressive submission threat and continuously evolving striking continue to make her a fan favorite and a major draw in women's combat sports.

Digital Presence and Personal Life

Beyond the octagon, Dern maintains an active digital presence with a massive social media following, including over 1.8 million followers on her primary Instagram account (@mackenziedern). She uses her platform to share behind-the-scenes training footage, family moments, and commercial partnerships. On a personal level, Dern is a mother to her daughter, Moa, born in 2019, and is divorced from professional surfer Wesley Santos. Based out of California, she continues to train and compete at the highest levels of mixed martial arts while serving as an inspiration for working mothers and female martial artists worldwide.