Mackenzie Dern
Women's Strawweight · United States · UFC
World-class BJJ grappler with steadily improving striking
Slick submissions off the back and from any scramble
Record & stats
| Division | Women's Strawweight |
|---|---|
| Categories | MMA |
| Promotion | UFC |
| Nationality | United States |
| Born | Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
| Team | Checkmat / The MMA Lab |
| Pro debut | 2016 |
| Height | 163cm5′4″ |
| Reach | 160cm5′3″ |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Age | 33 |
| KO rate | 47% |
| Status | Active |
How the wins come
47% Finish rate- 8 Submission · 47%
- 9 Decision · 53%
Recent results
- —vs Gillian Robertson 🏆
- Wvs Virna Jandiroba 🏆Dern def. Jandiroba — UD 5
Auto-linked from KIAI's event coverage — updated as fights are decided.
Titles & honors
- UFC Women's Strawweight Champion
Biography
Mackenzie Dern is one of the most accomplished grapplers in MMA, a multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world and ADCC medalist who has translated her ground mastery into a UFC championship. A pro since 2016, she pairs elite submission skills with steadily improving boxing.
After years as a contender, Dern broke through to capture the vacant UFC women's strawweight title with a unanimous-decision win over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 on October 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, moving to 16-5.
Earlier in 2025 she earned a Performance of the Night submission over Amanda Ribas, underscoring her finishing threat off her back and in scrambles.
She made her first title defense at UFC 330 on August 16, 2026, beating grappler Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision over five rounds. As of September 18, 2026 she is 17-5 and still the reigning women's strawweight champion.
Fight history
- WGillian RobertsonW UD 5
- WVirna JandirobaW UD 5
- WAmanda RibasW SUB R3
FAQ
- Is Mackenzie Dern a UFC champion?
- Yes. She won the vacant women's strawweight title at UFC 321 in October 2025.
- What is Mackenzie Dern known for?
- Her elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu — she is a multiple-time BJJ world and ADCC medalist.
- What was Dern's last fight?
- She defended her title against Gillian Robertson at UFC 330 on August 16, 2026, winning a five-round unanimous decision. No next fight had been announced as of September 18, 2026.
- What is Mackenzie Dern's record?
- She is 17-5 with eight submission wins as of September 18, 2026 (UFC.com).