Mackenzie Dern


Mackenzie Lynne Dern is an American and Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner currently competing in the women's strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where she is the current UFC Women's Strawweight Champion. She is a former world no. 1 ranked IBJJF competitor, currently ranked 6th among the female divisions. She is an ADCC and no gi BJJ world champion. As of November 18, 2025, she is #5 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.
𝕏 MackenzieDernFB mackenziedernIG mackenziedernTHR mackenziedern

Early life

Dern was born in Phoenix, Arizona. The daughter of Megaton Dias, a highly decorated grappling competitor. As a child, she grew up travelling back and forth between Arizona and her father's native Brazil. Dern is fluent in English and Portuguese. She has stated that Portuguese has become her primary language, explaining that "my dad and stepmom are both Brazilian. My boyfriend speaks Portuguese. I'm speaking Portuguese more than English. I still have lots of interactions in English of course. But I think in Portuguese, anything to do with fight is all in Portuguese in my mind, I dream in Portuguese."
Dern began training by the age of three and practicing with her father and stepmother who is also a black belt, Luciana Tavares. Mackenzie started competing at a young age, and began competing in the adult divisions at 14 years old. She has won a world championship in every belt level as she progressed to black belt rank, and at brown belt she defeated a male Judo black belt on Japanese TV. She was then promoted to black belt by her father in December 2012, three months prior to her 20th birthday. She graduated from Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona.
Due to her six 1st place finishes at the Asian Open, Mackenzie is the only female Jiu-Jitsu competitor to have won Gold Medals, at Black Belt level, at each of the 5 principal/highest ranking IBJJF Gi Championships - the other events are the Worlds, the Euros, the Pan Ams and the Brazilian Nationals. One of her biggest achievements in BJJ came when she managed to defeat Gabi Garcia despite a huge weight difference, becoming one of the few women to do so.

Mixed martial arts

Legacy Fighting Alliance

Dern was scheduled to make her mixed martial arts debut against Kenia Rosas at Legacy FC 58. She won her debut by unanimous decision.
Dern was scheduled to fight Montana De La Rosa at Legacy FC 61. The bout was initially scheduled to be contested at strawweight, but was later changed to catchweight, as Dern missed weight by 2.8 lbs. She won the fight by a first round submission.
Dern was scheduled to fight Katherine Roy at LFA 6. Dern came in overweight for the second time in a row, missing weight by four pounds, and had to forfeit 20% of her purse. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Dern moved up to flyweight for her fourth professional fight, being scheduled to fight Mandy Polk at LFA 24. She beat Polk by a first-round rear-naked choke.
After going 4–0 in her first four professional fights, Dern signed with Invicta Fighting Championship in November 2017.

Invicta Fighting Championship

Dern made her Invicta debut on December 8, 2017, at Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedzwiedz against Kaline Medeiros. She won the fight via an armbar in round three.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Dern made her promotional debut against Ashley Yoder on March 3, 2018, at UFC 222. She won the fight via split decision.
Dern faced Amanda Cooper on May 12, 2018 at UFC 224. At the weigh-ins, Dern weighed in at 123 pounds, 7 pounds over the strawweight non-title fight upper limit of 116 pounds. As a result, the bout proceeded at catchweight and Dern was fined 30% of her purse. Dern won the fight via submission through a rear naked choke in the first round.
After a hiatus from maternity leave, Dern faced Amanda Ribas on October 12, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 19. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Dern was expected to face Ariane Carnelossi on April 25, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 173. Carnelossi was forced to withdraw from the bout due to travel restriction.
Dern was scheduled to face Hannah Cifers on April 25, 2020. However, on April 9 the promotion announced that this event was postponed. The pairing eventually took place on May 30, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns. Dern won the fight with a first round kneebar - becoming the first woman to finish a fight by any form of leg lock in UFC history. This win also earned her her first Performance of the Night award.
Dern faced Randa Markos on September 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 178. She won the fight via submission in the first round. This win earned her her second straight Performance of the Night award.
Dern faced Virna Jandiroba on December 12, 2020 at UFC 256. Dern won the fight by unanimous decision.
Dern faced Nina Nunes on April 10, 2021 at UFC on ABC 2. She won the bout via first round armbar. This win earned her a Performance of the Night award.
Dern faced Marina Rodriguez on October 9, 2021 on UFC Fight Night 194. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award.
Dern faced Tecia Torres on April 9, 2022 at UFC 273. Dern defeated Torres in a close bout by split decision.
Dern faced Yan Xiaonan on October 1, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 211. She lost the bout via majority decision.
Dern was scheduled to face Angela Hill on May 13, 2023 at UFC on ABC 4. However, the bout was instead moved back one week to headline UFC Fight Night 223. She won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award.
Dern faced former UFC Strawweight Champion JΓ©ssica Andrade on November 11, 2023 at UFC 295. She lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the second round.
Dern faced Amanda Lemos, replacing Tatiana Suarez, on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298. Dern lost by unanimous decision. This fight earned her another Fight of the Night award.
Dern faced Loopy Godinez on August 3, 2024 at UFC on ABC 7. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Dern was scheduled to face Amanda Ribas in a rematch on December 14, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63. However, the bout was moved for unknown reasons to January 11, 2025 in order to serve as the main event at UFC Fight Night 249. Dern won the fight via an armbar submission at the end of the third round. This fight earned her another Performance of the Night award.

Strawweight championship

Dern faced former Invicta FC Strawweight Champion Virna Jandiroba in a rematch on October 25, 2025, at UFC 321 for the vacant UFC Women's Strawweight Championship. She won the championship by unanimous decision.

Professional grappling career

After 7 years away from the sport, Dern announced her return to professional grappling competition in 2024. She was subsequently invited to compete in the under 55 kg division of the ADCC World Championship.
Dern withdrew from the 2024 ADCC World Championship, and instead competed against 2022 ADCC world champion Ffion Davies in a superfight at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational on August 17, 2024. Dern lost the match by submission due to an armbar.

Personal life

Dern was married to Brazilian professional surfer Wesley Santos. They separated in 2022. After going through divorce proceedings, Dern publicly accused Santos of physical abuse.
In February 2019, Dern announced that she had put her MMA career on hold due to pregnancy. Her daughter was born on June 9, 2019.
According to Dern, she left Black House MMA after a reported incident concerning her original coach, Juan Gomez, where he got into a physical altercation with her husband over a disagreement about money. However, Gomez disputed money being the reason and subsequently both Dern and Gomez were asked to leave the team.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Grappling record

Records as per BJJHeroes website.
Rec.ResultOpponentMethodEventDivisionStageGiYear
Loss75–25–1Elvira KarppinenPts: 4x2ADCC60+KG4FNo Gi2017
Loss75–24–1Venla LuukkonenPts: 5x0World Champ.ABS8FGi2017
Loss75–23–1Beatriz MesquitaChoke from backRio Fall OpenABSFGi2017
Win75–22–1Katherine JesusPointsRio Fall OpenABSSFGi2017
Win74–22–1Pati FontesCross chokeF2W 25N/ASPFGi2017
Win73–22–1Emily ThylinReferee DecisionEuropean Open58KGFGi2017
Win72–22–1Carolina CarrielloBow and arrowEuropean Open58KGSFGi2017
Loss71–22–1Tayane PorfirioPts: 5x2European OpenABS4FGi2017
Win71–21–1Venla LuukkonenPts: 11x2European OpenABS4FGi2017
Loss70–21–1Tayane PorfirioPts: 20x0South AmericanABSFGi2016
Win70–20–1Joaquina BomfimAdvSouth AmericanABSSFGi2016
Win69–20–1Barbara GomesOmoplata/ChokeSouth AmericanABS4FGi2016
Win68–20–1Eloisa SoutaScissor chokeSouth American64KGFGi2016
Win67–20–1Megan GreenKneebarGrand Slam Tokyo70KGFGi2016
Win66–20–1Megan GreenKneebarGrand Slam Tokyo70KGRRGi2016
Win65–20–1Talita AlencarReferee DecisionF2W Pro 1288KGSPFGi2016
Loss64–20–1Dominyka ObelenytePts: 6x4World Champ.ABSSFGi2016
Win64–19–1Fernanda MazzelliReferee DecisionWorld Champ.ABS58KG4F2016
Win63–19–1Michelle NicoliniPts: 6x6, AdvWorld Champ.58KGFGi2016
Win62–19–1Karen AntunesReferee DecisionWorld Champ.58KGSFGi2016
Loss61–19–1Andresa CorreaPts: 2x0BrasileiroABSFGi2016
Win61–18–1Fernanda MazzelliPointsBrasileiroABSSFGi2016
Win60–18–1Andresa LidiaChoke from backBrasileiroABS4FGi2016
Loss59–18–1Tayane PorfirioPts: 5x2World ProABS4FGi2016
Win59–17–1Anna KavouraToe holdWorld ProABSR1Gi2016
Win58–17–1Marina RibeiroPts: 0x0, AdvWorld Pro55KGFGi2016
Win57–17–1Ariadne OliveiraPts: 5x0World Pro55KGSFGi2016
Win56–17–1Ana AlencarPts: 0x0, AdvWorld Pro55KG4FGi2016
Loss55–17–1Dominyka ObelenytePts: 10x8Pan AmericanABSSFGi2016
Win55–16–1Fernanda MazzelliPts: 2x0Pan AmericanABS4FGi2016
Win54–16–1Leah TaylorToe holdPan AmericanABSR1Gi2016
Win53–16–1Karen AntunesPts: 4x4, AdvPan American58KGFGi2016
Win52–16–1Vianca JagerBotinhaPan American58KGSFGi2016
Win51–16–1Rosie SnowArmbarF2W Pro 4ABSSPFGi2016
Loss50–16–1Andresa CorreaPts: 2x0European OpenABSFGi2016
Win50–15–1Olga LyashevskaToe holdEuropean OpenABSSFGi2016
Win49–15–1Venla LuukkonenOmoplataEuropean OpenABS4FGi2016
Win48–15–1Maria DoloresToe holdEuropean OpenABSR1Gi2016
Win47–15–1Yasmine WilsonToe holdEuropean Open58KGFGi2016
Win46–15–1Andresa CorreaMarcelotineNoGi WorldsABSFNo Gi2015
Win45–15–1Emilie ThylinToe holdNoGi WorldsABSSFNo Gi2015
Win44–15–1Josephine MasielloArmbarNoGi WorldsABS4FNo Gi2015
Loss43–15–1Tammi MusumeciPts: 6x2NoGi Worlds56KGFNo Gi2015
Win43–14–1Emilie ThylinKimuraNoGi Worlds56KGSFNo Gi2015
Win42–14–1Isabelle SouzaToe holdAsian OpenABSFGi2015
Win41–14–1Leanna DittrichToe holdAsian OpenABSSFGi2015
Win40–14–1Michelle NicoliniPts: 4x4, PenADCC60KGFGi2015
Win39–14–1Bia MesquitaReferee DecisionADCC60KGSFGi2015
Win38–14–1Kethe EngenToe holdADCC60KGGi2015
Win37–14–1Karen AntunesToe holdFIVE SLABS3RDGi2015
Win36–14–1Fabiana BorgesKneebarFIVE SLABSSFGi2015
Win35–14–1Tammi MusumeciChoke from backFIVE SLABS4FGi2015
Loss34–14–1Dominyka ObelenytePointsWorld Champ.ABSSFGi2015
Win34–13–1Ana CordeiroArmbarWorld Champ.ABS4FGi2015
Win33–13–1Luiza MonteiroPts: 8x0World Champ.ABS8FGi2015
Win32–13–1Michelle NicoliniChoke from backWorld Champ.58KGFGi2015
Win31–13–1Tammi MusumeciN/AWorld Champ.58KGSFGi2015
Win30–13–1Vanessa OliveiraPts: 6x0World ProABSFGi2015
Win29–13–1Gabrielle GarciaPts: 0x0, PenWorld ProABSSFGi2015
Win28–13–1Jessica CristinaFootlockWorld ProABS4FGi2015
Win27–13–1NΓ‘dia MeloToe holdWorld ProABSR1Gi2015
Win26–13–1Michelle NicoliniPts: 2x0World Pro55KGFGi2015
Win25–13–1Ariadne OliveiraPointsWorld Pro55KGFGi2015
Loss24–13–1Gabrielle GarciaBread cutterPan AmericanABSFGi2015
Win24–12–1Tammy GriegoKneebarPan AmericanABSSFGi2015
Win23–12–1Megan NevillReferee DecisionPan AmericanABS4FGi2015
Win22–12–1Tammi MusumeciKneebarPan American58KGFGi2015
Win21–12–1Chelsea DonnerEzekielPan American58KGSFGi2015
Loss20–12–1Michele NicoliniPts: 9x8European58KGFGi2015
Win20–11–1Laurence CousinToe holdEuropean58KGSFGi2015
Loss19–11–1Gabrielle GarciaClock chokeEuropeanABSFGi2015
Win19–10–1Dominyka ObelenyteReferee DecisionEuropeanABSSFGi2015
Win18–10–1Laurence FouillatEzekielEuropeanABS4FGi2015
Win17–10–1Nicole InacioArmbarUS Nat. ProABSFGi2015
Loss16–10–1Ana CordeiroKimuraLong Beach ProABSFGi2014
Win16–9–1Karen AntunesToe holdNo Gi Worlds56KGFNo Gi2014
Loss15–9–1Gabrielle GarciaAmericanaNo Gi WorldsABSFNo Gi2014
Win15–8–1Leanna DittrichPts: 3x0No Gi WorldsABSSFNo Gi2014
Win14–8–1Nyjah EastonAdvNo Gi WorldsABS4FNo Gi2014
Win13–8–1Chelsea DonnerTriangleAmerican Nat.58KGFGi2014
Win12–8–1Laura HallockChoke from backDallas OpenABSFGi2014
Win11–8–1Karen AntunesToe holdDallas Open58KGFGi2014
Loss10–8–1Fernanda MazzelliPts: 9x0World Champ.ABSR1Gi2014
Loss10–7–1Tammi MusumeciPalm to palmWorld Champ.58KGSFGi2014
Win10–6–1Ariadne de OliveiraPointsWorld Champ.58KG4FGi2014
Loss9–6–1Michelle NicoliniArmbarWorld Pro.55KGR1Gi2014
Win9–5–1Kanako InabaMounted X chokeFIVE Illinois64KGFGi2014
Win8–5–1Chelsea DonnerPts: 2x0FIVE Cali. 264KGFGi2014
Win7–5–1Pati FontesMounted X chokeFIVE Cali. 264KGSFGi2014
Loss6–5–1Tammi MusumeciPts: 2x2, AdvPan American58KGFGi2014
Win6–4–1Cristina BrandaoOmoplata/ChokePan American58KGSFGi2014
Loss5–4–1Andresa CorreaN/APan AmericanABSSFGi2014
Win5–3–1Talita NogueiraPts: 4x4, AdvPan AmericanABS4FGi2014
Win4–3–1Sophia DrysdaleToe holdLas Vegas OpenABSFGi2013
Loss3–3–1Marina RibeiroPointsWorld Champ.58KGSFGi2013
Loss3–2–1Luiza MonteiroPts: 0x0, AdvPan American58KGFGi2013
Loss3–1–1Gabrielle GarciaClock chokePan AmericanABSSFGi2013
Win3–0–1Talita NogueiraChoke from backPan AmericanABS4FGi2013
Win2–0–1Lora HallockChoke from backSA Pro Trials56KGFGi2013
Draw1–0–1Michelle NicoliniN/AMetamoris 2ABSSPFGi2013
Win1–0Luiza MonteiroPts: 8x2Copa PodioABSSPFGi2013

Instructor lineage

Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda β†’ Carlos Gracie, Sr. β†’ Helio Gracie β†’ Royler Gracie β†’ Megaton Dias β†’ Mackenzie Dern