Mackenzie Dern

# Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Lynne Dern is an American and Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who has established herself as one of the premier grapplers in combat sports. Currently competing in the women's strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, she holds the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship. Her achievements span both pure grappling and mixed martial arts, having captured world titles in ADCC and no gi BJJ competition before transitioning to become a ranked UFC contender.

Career

Dern's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career reached its apex when she achieved the world no. 1 ranking as an IBJJF competitor. Her grappling credentials include championship victories at the highest levels of submission grappling, most notably winning both ADCC and no gi BJJ world titles. These accomplishments established her as one of the most accomplished female grapplers of her generation before she transitioned to mixed martial arts.

Her transition to MMA brought continued success inside the UFC's strawweight division. Dern's grappling foundation translated effectively to the cage, where she developed into a complete mixed martial artist capable of competing at the sport's highest level. Her ascent through the UFC rankings culminated in capturing the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship, cementing her status among the elite 115-pound fighters in the world.

As of March 24, 2026, Dern holds the #6 position in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings, recognition of her standing among the best female fighters across all weight classes. In the IBJJF rankings, she currently sits at 6th among female divisions, maintaining her relevance in competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu even while pursuing her MMA career.

Legacy

Mackenzie Dern represents a rare bridge between elite-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and championship-level mixed martial arts. Her ability to achieve world championship status in both pure grappling and MMA distinguishes her career from most combat sports athletes, who typically excel in one discipline or the other. As both an ADCC champion and UFC titleholder, she has proven that traditional grappling excellence can translate to success in modern mixed martial arts when combined with comprehensive striking and wrestling development.

Her dual citizenship—American and Brazilian—reflects the international nature of her grappling background and her connection to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's heartland. This heritage, combined with her competitive achievements, positions her as an ambassador for the sport across both countries and their respective grappling communities.

Dern's continued presence in IBJJF rankings while competing at the highest level of MMA demonstrates her sustained commitment to her grappling roots. Few UFC champions maintain active involvement in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition scene, making her ongoing relevance in both worlds noteworthy. Her pound-for-pound ranking alongside fighters from heavier divisions speaks to the technical excellence and finishing ability she brings to every appearance.

As the current UFC Women's Strawweight Champion, Dern sits atop one of the UFC's most competitive divisions. Her championship reign validates the effectiveness of building an MMA career on an elite grappling foundation, offering a blueprint for future Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners looking to transition to mixed martial arts. The combination of ADCC gold, no gi BJJ world titles, and UFC championship gold creates a résumé that few in combat sports history can match.