Mackenzie Dern is not just a UFC strawweight contender; she’s a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion who returned to fighting just four months after giving birth. Her career weaves elite grappling, professional MMA, and public motherhood into a single high-stakes narrative.
Full Name: Mackenzie Lynne Dern | Record: 16-5-0 | Height: 5’4″ (163 cm) | Weight: 115 lbs (52 kg) | Reach: 63″ (160 cm) | Born: March 24, 1993 | Nationality: American & Brazilian
Biography
Personal Life
- Mother to: one daughter (Moa) MMA Fighting
- Previously married: to a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner UFC
- Current marital status: not publicly confirmed UFC
Career Highlights
- ADCC & BJJ World Champion (2‑time black belt world champion) UFC
- UFC strawweight contender currently ranked #6 Muscle & Fitness
- MMA record: 16‑5‑0 UFC
- Notable wins: Amanda Ribas, Virna Jandiroba, Nina Nunes UFC
Fighting Style
- Black belt in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu UFC
- Strong submission grappling: 8 submission wins (3 RNC, 3 armbar, 1 kneebar) UFC
- Improving striking with 6 first‑round finishes UFC
| Full Name | Mackenzie Lynne Dern UFC |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1993 UFC |
| Nationality | American, Brazilian UFC |
| Height | 5’4″ (163 cm) UFC |
| Weight | 115 lbs (52 kg) UFC |
| Reach | 63″ (160 cm) UFC |
| MMA Record | 16‑5‑0 UFC |
| UFC Debut | 2018 UFC |
| BJJ Rank | Black Belt UFC |
Who is Mackenzie Dern’s husband?
Relationship timeline
Mackenzie Dern was previously married to a Brazilian jiu‑jitsu practitioner, but she has not publicly identified her ex‑husband. The UFC profile lists her father, Wellington “Megaton” Dias, as a key influence, but marital details remain sparse UFC.
Current marital status
As of early 2025, Dern’s current marital status is not publicly confirmed. She has not disclosed any new relationship in interviews or social media. What is known: she focuses on her daughter Moa and her fighting career.
Bottom line: Dern’s private life remains guarded. The lack of a named ex‑husband or partner means fans rely on her own social media and official UFC bio for relationship clues.
Does Mackenzie Dern have a child?
Daughter’s name and age
Mackenzie Dern is the mother of a daughter named Moa, born on June 9, 2019 MMA Fighting. Moa is now 5 years old Muscle & Fitness. Dern often shares moments with her daughter on social media.
How motherhood affects her training
Dern fought Amanda Ribas in October 2020, only four months after giving birth UFC. She told MMA Fighting that she was just six pounds over the strawweight limit with seven weeks left before the fight MMA Fighting. The UFC expressed concerns about weight cutting and breastfeeding, but Dern said she had been cleared by doctors MMA Fighting.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to maybe even make history [as the first mom to win a UFC title].”
The pattern: Dern packs career milestones into compressed timeframes, treating pregnancy as a pause rather than a permanent detour.
Is Mackenzie Dern from Brazil?
Birthplace and upbringing
Mackenzie Dern was born on March 24, 1993, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. She holds dual American and Brazilian citizenship UFC. Her father, Wellington “Megaton” Dias, is a renowned Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu black belt, and Dern began training at his academy at age three UFC.
Dual citizenship
Dern spent significant time in Brazil training in Jiu‑Jitsu and often represents both countries in competition. Her official UFC bio lists her nationality as American and Brazilian, reflecting her deep cultural and athletic ties to Brazil.
What this means: Dern’s identity bridges two martial‑arts powerhouses. Her BJJ credentials earned in Brazil underpin her MMA success, yet she fights under the American flag in the UFC.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s MMA record?
Win/loss breakdown
As of early 2025, Dern’s professional MMA record stands at 16 wins and 5 losses (0 draws) UFC. She turned pro in 2016 UFC and fought once in Invicta FC before joining the UFC UFC. She has 8 submission wins (3 rear‑naked chokes, 3 armbars, 1 kneebar) and 6 first‑round finishes UFC.
Notable victories and defeats
Dern holds wins over Amanda Ribas, Virna Jandiroba, and Nina Nunes. Her losses have come against top‑ranked strawweights such as Jessica Andrade and Yan Xiaonan. She is currently ranked sixth in the UFC strawweight division Muscle & Fitness.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to maybe even make history.”
When is Mackenzie Dern’s next fight?
Confirmed opponent and event
Dern’s next scheduled fight has not been officially announced by the UFC as of early 2025. She is expected to compete in the strawweight division. Fight announcements are typically made via UFC official sources and her social media channels.
Fight predictions and analysis
Dern’s grappling advantage makes her a threat to any opponent, but her striking continues to develop. A matchup against a top‑five contender could propel her toward a title shot, something she has expressed as her goal.
What this means: Dern’s next fight remains unconfirmed, but her consistent ranking and finishing ability keep her in title contention conversations.
Timeline
- 1993 — Born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA UFC
- Early 2010s — Wins multiple BJJ world championships UFC
- 2015 — Wins ADCC World Championship UFC
- 2016 — Makes professional MMA debut UFC
- 2018 — Signs with UFC; wins debut UFC
- June 2019 — Daughter Moa born MMA Fighting
- 2020 — Fights Amanda Ribas four months postpartum UFC
- 2021‑2024 — Competes in UFC strawweight, reaches title contention
- 2025 — Next scheduled fight (TBD)
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For a deeper look at Mackenzie Dern’s UFC record and personal life, Mackenzie Derns UFC record provides additional context on her career and family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Mackenzie Dern?
She was born March 24, 1993, making her 31 years old as of early 2025.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s reach?
Her reach is 63 inches (160 cm). UFC
Who is Mackenzie Dern’s coach?
She trains under her father, Wellington “Megaton” Dias, and at various MMA gyms. UFC
What fighting style does Mackenzie Dern specialize in?
She specializes in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu but has developed her striking. UFC
How many UFC fights has Mackenzie Dern had?
As of early 2025, she has fought 15 times in the UFC (11 wins, 4 losses). Based on her overall 16‑5 record within UFC and Invicta. UFC
Does Mackenzie Dern have any siblings?
Her official UFC profile does not mention siblings. She grew up as an only child in her father’s academy environment.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s net worth?
Net worth figures are not publicly confirmed; estimates vary widely and are not provided by official sources.
What is Mackenzie Dern’s nickname?
Her nickname is “MackDaddy” or simply “Mackenzie,” but she does not have an official moniker listed by the UFC.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.