Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Lynne Dern Santos (born March 24, 1993)[2] is an American professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.[3][4] She is a former world No. 1 ranked IBJJF competitor, currently ranked 6th among the female divisions.[5] She is an ADCC and no gi BJJ (black belt) World Champion.[6][7][8]

Mackenzie Dern
Born	Mackenzie Lynne Dern (1993-03-24) March 24, 1993 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight	115 lb (52 kg; 8 st 3 lb)
Division	Strawweight
Reach	63 in (160 cm)
Style	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Fighting out of	Los Angeles, California
Team	Black House MMA Checkmat
Rank	Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Wellington "Megaton" Dias[1]
Years active	2016–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total	9
Wins	8
By submission	5
By decision	3
Losses	1
By decision	1
Website	Mackenzie Dern
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record Representing  United States Women's Submission Wrestling ADCC World Championship 2015 São Paulo -60kg ADCC North American Championships 2012 San Diego -60kg Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 California, USA -59 kg 2015 California, USA -59 kg 2015 California, USA Absolute 2016 California, USA -59 kg 2016 California, USA Absolute Nogi World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 California, USA -55.5 kg 2014 California, USA Absolute 2015 California, USA -55.5 kg 2015 California, USA Absolute Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 California, USA -59 kg 2014 California, USA Absolute 2015 California, USA -59 kg 2015 California, USA Absolute 2016 California, USA -59 kg 2016 California, USA Absolute European Championship 2013 Lisbon, Portugal -58kg 2016 Lisbon, Portugal -58kg 2017 Lisbon, Portugal -58kg Brazilian National Championship 2014 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil -58kg 2015 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil -58kg Asian Open Championship 2014 Tokyo, Japan -58kg 2014 Tokyo, Japan Absolute 2015 Tokyo, Japan -58kg 2015 Tokyo, Japan Absolute 2016 Tokyo, Japan -64g 2016 Tokyo, Japan Absolute World Cup 2015 Abu Dhabi -55 kg 2015 Abu Dhabi Absolute 2016 Abu Dhabi -55 kg

Early life

Of Brazilian descent, Dern was born in Arizona, the daughter of Wellington "Megaton" Dias, a highly decorated grappling competitor himself.[9] As a child, she grew up travelling back and forth between Arizona and her father's native Brazil.[10] Dern is fluent in English and Portuguese. She has stated that Portuguese has become her primary tongue, explaining that "my Dad and step Mom 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."[11]

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, which was awarded to her by her father in December 2012, three months prior to her 20th birthday.[1][12] She graduated from Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona.[13]

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.

Mixed martial arts

Early career

Dern fought under Legacy Fighting Alliance with a record of 4-0[14] prior to signing with Invicta Fighting Championship (Invicta) in November 2017.[15]

Invicta Fighting Championship

Dern made her Invicta debut on December 8, 2017, at Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedzwiedz against Kaline Medeiros.[16] She won the fight via an armbar in round three.[17]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Dern made her promotional debut against Ashley Yoder on March 3, 2018, at UFC 222.[18] She won the fight via split decision.[19]

Dern faced Amanda Cooper on May 12, 2018 at UFC 224.[20] 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.[21] Dern won the fight via submission through a rear naked choke in the first round.[22]

After a hiatus from maternity leave, Dern faced Amanda Ribas on October 12, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 19.[23] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[24]

Dern was expected to face Ariane Carnelossi on April 25, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 173.[25] Carnelossi was forced to withdraw from the bout due to travel restriction.[26]

Dern was scheduled to face Hannah Cifers on April 25, 2020.[27] However, on April 9 the promotion announced that this event was postponed.[28] The pairing eventually took place on May 30, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns.[29] 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.[30] This win also earned her her first Performance of the Night award.[31]

Dern is scheduled to meet Randa Markos on September 19, 2020 at UFC 253.[32]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Hannah Cifers[31]

Personal life

Dern is married to professional surfer Wesley Santos.[33]

In February 2019, Dern announced that she had put her MMA career on hold due to pregnancy. Her daughter, Moa, was born on June 9, 2019.[34]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
9 matches	8 wins	1 loss
By submission	5	0
By decision	3	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	8–1	Hannah Cifers	Submission (kneebar)	UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns	May 30, 2020	1	2:36	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Performance of the Night.
Loss	7–1	Amanda Ribas	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson	October 12, 2019	3	5:00	Tampa, Florida, United States
Win	7–0	Amanda Cooper	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC 224	May 12, 2018	1	2:27	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	Catchweight (123 lbs) bout; Dern missed weight.
Win	6–0	Ashley Yoder	Decision (split)	UFC 222	March 3, 2018	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	5–0	Kaline Medeiros	Submission (armbar)	Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedzwiedz	December 8, 2017	3	4:45	Kansas City, Missouri, United States	Return to Strawweight. Performance of the Night.
Win	4–0	Mandy Polk	Submission (rear-naked choke)	LFA 24	October 13, 2017	1	2:55	Phoenix, Arizona, United States	Flyweight debut.
Win	3–0	Katherine Roy	Decision (unanimous)	LFA 6	March 10, 2017	3	5:00	San Antonio, Texas, United States	Catchweight (120 lbs) bout; Dern missed weight.
Win	2–0	Montana De La Rosa	Submission (Imanari choke)	Legacy FC 61	October 14, 2016	1	3:25	Dallas, Texas, United States	Catchweight (118.8 lbs) bout; Dern missed weight.
Win	1–0	Kenia Rosas	Decision (unanimous)	Legacy FC 58	July 22, 2016	3	5:00	Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States	Strawweight debut.

[35]

Grappling record

Records as per BJJHeroes website.[36]

Rec.	Result	Opponent	Method	Event	Division	Stage	Gi	Year
Loss	75–25–1	Elvira Karppinen	Pts: 4x2	ADCC	60+KG	4F	No Gi	2017
Loss	75–24–1	Venla Luukkonen	Pts: 5x0	World Champ.	ABS	8F	Gi	2017
Loss	75–23–1	Beatriz Mesquita	Choke from back	Rio Fall Open	ABS	F	Gi	2017
Win	75–22–1	Katherine Jesus	Points	Rio Fall Open	ABS	SF	Gi	2017
Win	74–22–1	Pati Fontes	Cross choke	F2W 25	N/A	SPF	Gi	2017
Win	73–22–1	Emily Thylin	Referee Decision	European Open	58KG	F	Gi	2017
Win	72–22–1	Carolina Carriello	Bow and arrow	European Open	58KG	SF	Gi	2017
Loss	71–22–1	Tayane Porfirio	Pts: 5x2	European Open	ABS	4F	Gi	2017
Win	71–21–1	Venla Luukkonen	Pts: 11x2	European Open	ABS	4F	Gi	2017
Loss	70–21–1	Tayane Porfirio	Pts: 20x0	South American	ABS	F	Gi	2016
Win	70–20–1	Joaquina Bomfim	Adv	South American	ABS	SF	Gi	2016
Win	69–20–1	Barbara Gomes	Omoplata/Choke	South American	ABS	4F	Gi	2016
Win	68–20–1	Eloisa Souta	Scissor choke	South American	64KG	F	Gi	2016
Win	67–20–1	Megan Green	Kneebar	Grand Slam Tokyo	70KG	F	Gi	2016
Win	66–20–1	Megan Green	Kneebar	Grand Slam Tokyo	70KG	RR	Gi	2016
Win	65–20–1	Talita Alencar	Referee Decision	F2W Pro 12	88KG	SPF	Gi	2016
Loss	64–20–1	Dominyka Obelenyte	Pts: 6x4	World Champ.	ABS	SF	Gi	2016
Win	64–19–1	Fernanda Mazzelli	Referee Decision	World Champ.	ABS	58KG	4F	2016
Win	63–19–1	Michelle Nicolini	Pts: 6x6, Adv	World Champ.	58KG	F	Gi	2016
Win	62–19–1	Karen Antunes	Referee Decision	World Champ.	58KG	SF	Gi	2016
Loss	61–19–1	Andresa Correa	Pts: 2x0	Brasileiro	ABS	F	Gi	2016
Win	61–18–1	Fernanda Mazzelli	Points	Brasileiro	ABS	SF	Gi	2016
Win	60–18–1	Andresa Lidia	Choke from back	Brasileiro	ABS	4F	Gi	2016
Loss	59–18–1	Tayane Porfirio	Pts: 5x2	World Pro	ABS	4F	Gi	2016
Win	59–17–1	Anna Kavoura	Toe hold	World Pro	ABS	R1	Gi	2016
Win	58–17–1	Marina Ribeiro	Pts: 0x0, Adv	World Pro	55KG	F	Gi	2016
Win	57–17–1	Ariadne Oliveira	Pts: 5x0	World Pro	55KG	SF	Gi	2016
Win	56–17–1	Ana Alencar	Pts: 0x0, Adv	World Pro	55KG	4F	Gi	2016
Loss	55–17–1	Dominyka Obelenyte	Pts: 10x8	Pan American	ABS	SF	Gi	2016
Win	55–16–1	Fernanda Mazzelli	Pts: 2x0	Pan American	ABS	4F	Gi	2016
Win	54–16–1	Leah Taylor	Toe hold	Pan American	ABS	R1	Gi	2016
Win	53–16–1	Karen Antunes	Pts: 4x4, Adv	Pan American	58KG	F	Gi	2016
Win	52–16–1	Vianca Jager	Botinha	Pan American	58KG	SF	Gi	2016
Win	51–16–1	Rosie Snow	Armbar	F2W Pro 4	ABS	SPF	Gi	2016
Loss	50–16–1	Andresa Correa	Pts: 2x0	European Open	ABS	F	Gi	2016
Win	50–15–1	Olga Lyashevska	Toe hold	European Open	ABS	SF	Gi	2016
Win	49–15–1	Venla Luukkonen	Omoplata	European Open	ABS	4F	Gi	2016
Win	48–15–1	Maria Dolores	Toe hold	European Open	ABS	R1	Gi	2016
Win	47–15–1	Yasmine Wilson	Toe hold	European Open	58KG	F	Gi	2016
Win	46–15–1	Andresa Correa	Marcelotine	NoGi Worlds	ABS	F	No Gi	2015
Win	45–15–1	Emilie Thylin	Toe hold	NoGi Worlds	ABS	SF	No Gi	2015
Win	44–15–1	Josephine Masiello	Armbar	NoGi Worlds	ABS	4F	No Gi	2015
Loss	43–15–1	Tammi Musumeci	Pts: 6x2	NoGi Worlds	56KG	F	No Gi	2015
Win	43–14–1	Emilie Thylin	Kimura	NoGi Worlds	56KG	SF	No Gi	2015
Win	42–14–1	Isabelle Souza	Toe hold	Asian Open	ABS	F	Gi	2015
Win	41–14–1	Leanna Dittrich	Toe hold	Asian Open	ABS	SF	Gi	2015
Win	40–14–1	Michelle Nicolini	Pts: 4x4, Pen	ADCC	60KG	F	Gi	2015
Win	39–14–1	Bia Mesquita	Referee Decision	ADCC	60KG	SF	Gi	2015
Win	38–14–1	Kethe Engen	Toe hold	ADCC	60KG		Gi	2015
Win	37–14–1	Karen Antunes	Toe hold	FIVE SL	ABS	3RD	Gi	2015
Win	36–14–1	Fabiana Borges	Kneebar	FIVE SL	ABS	SF	Gi	2015
Win	35–14–1	Tammi Musumeci	Choke from back	FIVE SL	ABS	4F	Gi	2015
Loss	34–14–1	Dominyka Obelenyte	Points	World Champ.	ABS	SF	Gi	2015
Win	34–13–1	Ana Cordeiro	Armbar	World Champ.	ABS	4F	Gi	2015
Win	33–13–1	Luiza Monteiro	Pts: 8x0	World Champ.	ABS	8F	Gi	2015
Win	32–13–1	Michelle Nicolini	Choke from back	World Champ.	58KG	F	Gi	2015
Win	31–13–1	Tammi Musumeci	N/A	World Champ.	58KG	SF	Gi	2015
Win	30–13–1	Vanessa Oliveira	Pts: 6x0	World Pro	ABS	F	Gi	2015
Win	29–13–1	Gabrielle Garcia	Pts: 0x0, Pen	World Pro	ABS	SF	Gi	2015
Win	28–13–1	Jessica Cristina	Footlock	World Pro	ABS	4F	Gi	2015
Win	27–13–1	Nádia Melo	Toe hold	World Pro	ABS	R1	Gi	2015
Win	26–13–1	Michelle Nicolini	Pts: 2x0	World Pro	55KG	F	Gi	2015
Win	25–13–1	Ariadne Oliveira	Points	World Pro	55KG	F	Gi	2015
Loss	24–13–1	Gabrielle Garcia	Bread cutter	an American	ABS	F	Gi	2015
Win	24–12–1	Tammy Griego	Kneebar	Pan American	ABS	SF	Gi	2015
Win	23–12–1	Megan Nevill	Referee Decision	Pan American	ABS	4F	Gi	2015
Win	22–12–1	Tammi Musumeci	Kneebar	Pan American	58KG	F	Gi	2015
Win	21–12–1	Chelsea Donner	Ezekiel	Pan American	58KG	SF	Gi	2015
Loss	20–12–1	Michele Nicolini	Pts: 9x8	European	58KG	F	Gi	2015
Win	20–11–1	Laurence Cousin	Toe hold	European	58KG	SF	Gi	2015
Loss	19–11–1	Gabrielle Garcia	Clock choke	European	ABS	F	Gi	2015
Win	19–10–1	Dominyka Obelenyte	Referee Decision	European	ABS	SF	Gi	2015
Win	18–10–1	Laurence Fouillat	Ezekiel	European	ABS	4F	Gi	2015
Win	17–10–1	Nicole Inacio	Armbar	US Nat. Pro	ABS	F	Gi	2015
Loss	16–10–1	Ana Cordeiro	Kimura	Long Beach Pro	ABS	F	Gi	2014
Win	16–9–1	Karen Antunes	Toe hold	No Gi Worlds	56KG	F	No Gi	2014
Loss	15–9–1	Gabrielle Garcia	Americana	No Gi Worlds	ABS	F	No Gi	2014
Win	15–8–1	Leanna Dittrich	Pts: 3x0	No Gi Worlds	ABS	SF	No Gi	2014
Win	14–8–1	Nyjah Easton	Adv	No Gi Worlds	ABS	4F	No Gi	2014
Win	13–8–1	Chelsea Donner	Triangle	American Nat.	58KG	F	Gi	2014
Win	12–8–1	Laura Hallock	Choke from back	Dallas Open	ABS	F	Gi	2014
Win	11–8–1	Karen Antunes	Toe hold	Dallas Open	58KG	F	Gi	2014
Loss	10–8–1	Fernanda Mazzelli	Pts: 9x0	World Champ.	ABS	R1	Gi	2014
Loss	10–7–1	Tammi Musumeci	Palm to palm	World Champ.	58KG	SF	Gi	2014
Win	10–6–1	Ariadne de Oliveira	Points	World Champ.	58KG	4F	Gi	2014
Loss	9–6–1	Michelle Nicolini	Armbar	World Pro.	55KG	R1	Gi	2014
Win	9–5–1	Kanako Inaba	Mounted X choke	FIVE Illinois	64KG	F	Gi	2014
Win	8–5–1	Chelsea Donner	Pts: 2x0	FIVE Cali. 2	64KG	F	Gi	2014
Win	7–5–1	Pati Fontes	Mounted X choke	FIVE Cali. 2	64KG	SF	Gi	2014
Loss	6–5–1	Tammi Musumeci	Pts: 2x2, Adv	Pan American	58KG	F	Gi	2014
Win	6–4–1	Cristina Brandao	Omoplata/Choke	Pan American	58KG	SF	Gi	2014
Loss	5–4–1	Andresa Correa	N/A	Pan American	ABS	SF	Gi	2014
Win	5–3–1	Talita Nogueira	Pts: 4x4, Adv	Pan American	ABS	4F	Gi	2014
Win	4–3–1	Sophia Drysdale	Toe hold	Las Vegas Open	ABS	F	Gi	2013
Loss	3–3–1	Marina Ribeiro	Points	World Champ.	58KG	SF	Gi	2013
Loss	3–2–1	Luiza Monteiro	Pts: 0x0, Adv	Pan American	58KG	F	Gi	2013
Loss	3–1–1	Gabrielle Garcia	Clock choke	Pan American	ABS	SF	Gi	2013
Win	3–0–1	Talita Nogueira	Choke from back	Pan American	ABS	4F	Gi	2013
Win	2–0–1	Lora Hallock	Choke from back	SA Pro Trials	56KG	F	Gi	2013
Draw	1–0–1	Michelle Nicolini	N/A	Metamoris 2	ABS	SPF	Gi	2013
Win	1–0	Luiza Monteiro	Pts: 8x2	Copa Podio	ABS	SPF	Gi	2013

Instructor Lineage

Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Helio Gracie → Royler Gracie → Wellington "Megaton" Dias → Mackenzie Dern[36]

References

1. "Megaton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Belt List". Retrieved 2015-11-06.
2. Mixed martial arts show results Date: May 30, 2020
3. "Grappling star Mackenzie Dern announces her switch to MMA". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2014-10-04.
4. "Gracie Humaita's Mackenzie Dern on Succeeding in Jiu Jitsu". Vice. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
5. "IBJJF Black Belt Female Ranking". Retrieved 2015-11-06.
6. "ADCC 2015 results recap: Mackenzie Dern impresses in 60kg championship victory". Retrieved 2014-10-04.
7. "Mackenzie Dern is able to collar jiu-jitsu gold in Abu Dhabi". National. Retrieved 2014-10-04.
8. "ADCC 2015 Profiles: Mackenzie Dern". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
9. "Campeã mundial de jiu-jítsu, Mackenzie Dern estreia com vitória no MMA". Retrieved 25 December 2017.
10. "Bio". Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
11. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DXOBhwhVQAA8UV4.jpg:large
12. "Mackenzie Dern Biography". BJJ Heroes. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
13. "Mackenzie Dern Bio". Archived from the original on 2018-08-21. Retrieved 2016-08-30.
14. Sherdog.com. "LFA 24 - Frincu vs. Millender". Sherdog. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
15. "Top prospect Mackenzie Dern signs with Invicta FC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
16. "Mackenzie Dern signs with Invicta FC, meets Kaline Medeiros in Kansas City". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-13. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
17. "VIDEO: Mackenzie Dern scores armbar win over Kaline Medeiros at Invicta FC 26". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
18. "BJJ ace Mackenzie Dern hooks March UFC debut". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
19. "UFC 222 results: Mackenzie Dern gets past gritty Ashley Yoder to win highly anticipated debut". MMAjunkie. 2018-03-04. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
20. Shaun Al-Shatti (2018-03-14). "Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Cooper slated for UFC 224". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
21. "UFC 224 weigh-in results: Mackenzie Dern misses strawweight limit by seven pounds". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
22. "UFC 224 results: Mackenzie Dern right hand drops Amanda Cooper, quick choke finishes the job". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-13. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
23. Aidoo, Clyde (2019-07-30). "Mackenzie Dern Returns at UFC on ESPN+ 19 vs. Amanda Ribas". MMA News. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
24. Evanoff, Josh (2019-10-12). "UFC Tampa Results: Amanda Ribas Dominates Mackenzie Dern". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
25. Raphael Marinho (2020-01-27). "Mackenzie Dern returns to the Octagon to face Ariane Sorriso at UFC Lincoln". sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2020-01-27. (in Portuguese)
26. DNA, MMA. "Hannah Cifers nieuwe tegenstandster van Mackenzie Dern op 25 april aanstaande". Retrieved 2020-04-10.
27. DNA, MMA. "Hannah Cifers nieuwe tegenstandster van Mackenzie Dern op 25 april aanstaande". Retrieved 2020-04-10.
28. Brett Okamoto (2020-04-09). "Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
29. "Eysschen van zijn koninglijke hoogheyd van Savoye, voor de aanstaande generale vrede". Dutch Pamphlets Online. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
30. Evanoff, Josh (2020-05-30). "UFC Vegas Results: Mackenzie Dern Makes History With Kneebar Submission of Hannah Cifers". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
31. Haynes, Stephie (2020-05-31). "UFC Las Vegas bonuses: Dern's record-setting kneebar wins POTN". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
32. "Ultimate marca Mackenzie Dern x Randa Markos para o UFC 253, no dia 19 de setembro". Globoesporte (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-07-10.
33. Guilherme Cruz (August 26, 2019). "Mackenzie Dern doesn't expect weight issues for Amanda Ribas fight months after daughter's birth". mmafighting.com.
34. "UFC's Mackenzie Dern announces birth of baby girl on Instagram". mmajunkie.com. June 10, 2019.
35. Sherdog.com. "Mackenzie Dern MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
36. "Mackenzie Dern | BJJ Heroes". BJJ Heroes. Retrieved 2018-02-19.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Mackenzie Dern from Sherdog
• Mackenzie Dern at UFC