Mackenzie Lynne Dern Bio
Mackenzie Lynne Dern (born March 24, 1993) is an American and Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner competing in the women’s strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is the current UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion and a former world no. 1 ranked IBJJF competitor, currently ranked 6th among female divisions. Dern is also an ADCC and no gi BJJ world champion, known for her exceptional grappling skills.
Early Life and Background
Dern was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and is the daughter of Megaton Dias, a highly decorated grappling competitor. She grew up traveling between Arizona and her father’s native Brazil, becoming fluent in both English and Portuguese. Portuguese has become her primary language, especially related to fighting and training contexts.
She began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by age three under the guidance of her father and stepmother, Luciana Tavares, who is also a black belt. Dern started competing at a young age and entered adult divisions at 14. She won world championships at every belt level, earning her black belt in December 2012 before turning 20. Dern graduated from Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona.
Her grappling achievements include six first-place finishes at the Asian Open and being the only female competitor to win gold medals at all five principal IBJJF Gi Championships at black belt level. One of her notable victories was defeating Gabi Garcia despite a significant weight difference.
Path to MMA
Dern transitioned from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to mixed martial arts in 2016, leveraging her grappling expertise. She began her MMA career with Legacy Fighting Alliance, winning her first four professional fights, including submissions and decisions. Her grappling pedigree and early success opened opportunities to compete at higher levels.
In November 2017, Dern signed with Invicta Fighting Championship, making her debut in December 2017 with a third-round armbar submission victory. Her performances caught the attention of the UFC, leading to her signing with the promotion in 2018.
Mackenzie Lynne Dern Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Dern started her professional MMA career in 2016 with Legacy Fighting Alliance, compiling a 4–0 record. She demonstrated strong submission skills, winning multiple fights by first-round submissions. Her early career was marked by rapid progression and gaining experience in competitive bouts.
In late 2017, Dern debuted in Invicta FC, winning her fight via armbar in the third round. This victory showcased her grappling dominance and readiness for the UFC stage.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Dern made her UFC debut on March 3, 2018, at UFC 222, defeating Ashley Yoder by split decision. She faced challenges with weight management early on, missing weight in her second UFC fight but securing a first-round submission win against Amanda Cooper.
After a maternity leave in 2019, Dern returned to face Amanda Ribas, suffering a unanimous decision loss. She rebounded with a historic first-round kneebar submission win over Hannah Cifers in May 2020, becoming the first woman in UFC history to finish a fight by any form of leg lock. This performance earned her the Performance of the Night award.
Dern continued to impress with first-round submission wins over Randa Markos and Nina Nunes, earning multiple Performance of the Night bonuses. She also won Fight of the Night honors in bouts against Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill. Dern’s UFC career includes notable victories and competitive performances against top contenders.
In 2025, Dern captured the vacant UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship by unanimous decision against Virna Jandiroba, marking a career-defining milestone.
Current Team Era (2016–Present)
Throughout her career, Dern has trained with MMA Lab, Black House MMA, and Checkmat RVCA, reflecting her commitment to elite training environments. She currently resides in Huntington Beach, California, and continues to compete at the highest level in the strawweight division.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dern’s fighting style is heavily grappling-oriented, leveraging her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt skills. She excels in submissions, particularly chokes and leg locks, and is known for her strategic ground control. Her ability to finish fights on the mat makes her a formidable opponent in the strawweight division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dern’s historic kneebar submission in UFC marked the first leg lock finish by a woman in UFC history. Her capture of the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship in 2025 stands as a pinnacle achievement. She has earned multiple Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night awards, highlighting her exciting fighting style.
Mackenzie Lynne Dern Career Wins
As of 2025, Mackenzie Dern holds a professional MMA record of 16 wins and 5 losses. Her victories include 8 submissions, 1 knockout, and 4 decision wins, underscoring her grappling dominance in the cage.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Highlights
Dern has accumulated numerous wins in the UFC strawweight division, including submission victories over Amanda Cooper, Hannah Cifers, Randa Markos, and Nina Nunes. Her first UFC win came against Ashley Yoder in 2018, and her most recent notable win was capturing the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship in 2025. She has consistently been a top contender and earned multiple post-fight bonuses.
Other Wins & Performances
Prior to the UFC, Dern was undefeated in Legacy Fighting Alliance with four wins, showcasing her submission skills and readiness for higher competition. Her Invicta FC debut was also a submission win, further establishing her grappling credentials.
Mackenzie Lynne Dern Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Dern is the daughter of Megaton Dias, a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor. Her family background deeply influenced her early training and success in grappling. Her stepmother, Luciana Tavares, is also a black belt and contributed to her development.
Personal Life
Dern was married to Brazilian professional surfer Wesley Santos; the couple separated in 2022 after divorce proceedings. She has a daughter born in 2019, which led to a temporary pause in her MMA career. Dern resides in Huntington Beach, California.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Dern achieved a career milestone by winning the vacant UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. She demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the year, including a notable rematch victory via armbar submission against Amanda Ribas. Dern’s performances earned her multiple Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night honors, reflecting her status as a top competitor.
Her training with Checkmat RVCA and other elite teams has supported her continued development. The 2025 season solidified her position among the UFC’s elite female fighters, with a strong outlook for future title defenses and high-profile bouts.