Mackenzie Dern

The 28-year-old, who was born in Arizona and grew up in California, began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of three with her father Wellington “Megaton” Dias, who is a black belt in the discipline. Under the tutelage of her father, Dern quickly became one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world and was dubbed the “next Ronda Rousey” due to her rapid rise to fame.

Dern’s transition to MMA was met with great anticipation, and she quickly proved that she was a force to be reckoned with. In her debut fight, Dern submitted Kenia Rosas in the first round via an armbar, a trademark submission move in jiu-jitsu.

Since then, Dern has compiled a professional MMA record of 10-1, with her lone loss coming against Amanda Ribas, who is currently one of the top strawweight fighters in the UFC. Dern’s most recent fight was against Nina Nunes, the wife of UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Dern submitted Nunes in the first round with a vicious armbar, once again showcasing her world-class grappling skills.

Dern’s grappling is a thing of beauty, with many experts stating that she has the best jiu-jitsu in women’s MMA. Her ability to quickly take opponents down and submit them is unrivaled, and her striking has improved significantly under the guidance of Jason Parillo, who has also coached the likes of Michael Bisping and Cris Cyborg.

Despite her incredible success, Dern is not without her flaws. Many critics have pointed out her lack of cardio, which was evident in her loss to Ribas. Dern has since worked hard on her fitness and has shown significant improvements in her last few fights.

Another area of concern for Dern is her weight. She has struggled to make the strawweight limit of 115 pounds, often coming in overweight for fights. Dern has acknowledged this issue and has stated that she plans to move up to the flyweight division, where she will not have to cut as much weight.

Dern’s potential in MMA is limitless, and many experts believe that she could be a future champion in the UFC. Her grappling skills are so good that she can submit anyone in the division, and her striking has improved enough to make her a well-rounded fighter.

Off the mat, Dern is known for her bubbly personality and passion for surfing. She is also a mother and has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing motherhood and a professional fighting career.

In conclusion, Mackenzie Dern is one of the most exciting female fighters in the world. Her grappling skills are unparalleled, and her striking has improved significantly. With a little more work on her cardio and weight management, Dern has the potential to become a dominant force in the UFC and a future champion.