Mackenzie Dern

As the daughter of a legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu grandmaster, Mackenzie Dern grew up with the mat as her playground, and after years of ups and downs, she finally became the UFC strawweight champion in 2025.

Profile

The story

Mackenzie Dern was born in Phoenix, Arizona, as the daughter of Wellington “Megaton” Dias, a renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, and grew up between Arizona and Brazil. She began training under her father and stepmother, Luciana Tavares, at the age of three. In 2012, at nineteen, she received her black belt and became one of the most decorated female grapplers in the world.

In 2016, Dern transitioned to MMA, earning a unanimous victory in her debut for Legacy FC. After a brief stint with Invicta FC, she signed with the UFC in 2018, making her debut at UFC 222. Her early run with the organization had its ups and downs, but she also recorded notable submissions, including the first kneebar finish by a woman in the UFC.

From 2024 onward, Dern found her rhythm again. In October 2025, she defeated Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision at UFC 321 and captured the vacant UFC strawweight title. In August 2026, she successfully defended the belt against Gillian Robertson.

In the ring

Fighting style

Dern is above all a grappling specialist with one of the best jiu-jitsu résumés in the history of women’s sports. She actively seeks the clinch and the ground, with an impressive array of armbars, leg locks, and positional holds, and over the course of her career has also significantly improved her boxing and distance control, meaning she is no longer one-sidedly reliant on the ground.

Results

Performance

UFC strawweight champion since October 2025; seven bonus awards, four Performance of the Night and three Fight of the Night awards; second-most submission wins in women's UFC history and the most in the strawweight division; first woman to win a UFC fight via kneebar; only woman to win gold at all five major IBJJF gi championships at black belt level; two-time BJJ world champion and ADCC champion.

Proof that a life on the mat, with enough patience and growth, can still lead to the UFC throne.

Over the years

Timeline

2012: Earns her Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt at age 19.

2016: Makes her Professional MMA debut at Legacy FC.

2018: Makes her UFC debut at UFC 222 against Ashley Yoder.

2020: Scores the first kneebar submission by a woman in the UFC against Hannah Cifers.

2025: Defeats Virna Jandiroba to win the vacant UFC strawweight title at UFC 321 in October.

2026: Successfully defends the title against Gillian Robertson in August at UFC 330.

Influence

Legacy

Dern represents the power of a pure grappling background in modern MMA. Despite years of criticism of her stand-up, she managed to seize the title through perseverance and an increasingly complete skill set, and is regarded as an inspiration for jiu-jitsu specialists considering the transition to MMA.